Among the high risk sporting activities are rugby, baseball and soccer. These sport games involve a lot of pushing and shoving, some accidental, some knowingly. In the course of such extreme movements, one may get hurt to the point that they will need to be checked by a doctor. Other outdoor games that stand a chance of bringing about physical injury include athletics, wrestling, boxing and swimming. These are some of the crucial things related to sports medicine Russellville residents may wish to know.

Sports medicine basically deals with injuries of the musculoskeletal system. This system is composed of muscles, bones, joints, ligaments and tendons together with associated nerves and blood vessels. Specialists in this field usually obtain a basic undergraduate degree in medicine before focusing on sports related disorders. It is important for the specialist to clearly know the anatomy of the human body in order to decipher what particular part has been injured.

Knee injuries are the commonest, particularly in the world of soccer and rugby. These two games involve a lot of running around and one can end up sustaining injuries in the event of slippage or being hit by the opponent. A certain ligament referred to as the anterior cruciate ligament is particularly vulnerable to injury when the knee gets twisted abnormally.

The knee is usually a common target when it comes to physical injuries during sports, particularly activities that involve aggression such as in rugby. Football players may also be injured as they tackle each other in a bid to pass the ball forward. The anterior cruciate ligament, ACL, is one of the soft tissues that routinely comes in the way of harm.

Tears in the anterior cruciate ligament result in unlimited anterior movement of the tibia against the femur. This means that the individual lacks control of how their injured limb moves. As a result, they can no longer play with precision. The victim is usually in uncontrollable pain and their movement becomes compromised. It is prudent that the area is splinted to minimize pain and avoid further injury. Analgesic drugs should be used as per the recommendation of the doctor.

In addition to knee and ankle injuries, the head is also bound to be injured if it is not well protected. Injuries may happen as a result of irresponsible use of playing material. This means that one may get injured by a baseball bat, a hockey stick or even a soccer ball when great impact is involved.

The head is also a common site, other than the lower limbs. Injury to the head should be regarded as being serious until proven otherwise. This is because one may not have any obvious external soft tissue damage but they may be bleeding on the inside, literally. Damage can happen in so many ways depending on what game is being played and the character of players involved.

The head can be protected by use of protective helmets in games that require it. The knees are usually protected using knee pads. In games such as baseball, the chest is guarded using special gear worn around the chest. All in all, it is crucial to be cautious when playing with fellow human beings to avoid unnecessary injuries.