Most of us wait all year for the summer season. After a long period of hibernation, it’s incredibly refreshing to be outside and soaking up the summer sun. The warmer weather opens up new possibilities for exercise and activity, but you’ll want to be aware of what your body can handle. If you push yourself too much, you could injure yourself and have to work with a sports medicine physician to recover. 

Below are the most common summer sports injuries to be aware of and the best ways to avoid them. 

Sprains and Strains 

Muscle sprains and strains are common, but they can still lead to pain and discomfort. Sprains involve the stretching or tearing of your ligaments, while strains refer to stretching or tearing your muscles or tendons. 

Both sprains and strains can be prevented by proper stretching. Keeping your muscles loose prevents them from injury. If you do happen to get a sprain or strain, you can treat it at home using ice and taking an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen. More severe cases may require you to wear a brace. 

Knee Injuries 

Some of the most common knee injuries include dislocations, ligament injuries and tendon tears. The knees take a beating in many outdoor activities, so these injuries are common. While some injuries can heal on their own within a few days, others like ACL tears can take months. 

To prevent these injuries, wear supportive shoes, do the proper warm-ups before exercise and avoid overtraining the muscles. It’s safe to do certain exercises (i.e., straight leg raises) because they help keep the joints loosened and improve their range of motion. 

Elbow Injuries 

During the summer, elbow injuries occur a lot because of the popularity of tennis and golf. After taking a period of time off from these activities, your elbows are more prone to injury. Like your knees, they need some care, too. Start off slow – don’t assume that you’ll be at the same height and range of motion as you were last year. Elbow strengthening exercises can also be helpful in preventing injury. 

Shoulder Injuries 

Shoulder injuries take place more in the summer because people are outdoors and being more active. Popular summer activities that can lead to shoulder injuries are baseball, basketball, beach volleyball and tennis. Using the shoulders can lead to dislocations, muscle strains and misalignments. 

Take your time easing into these new activities so you can give your shoulders time to adjust. Be sure to keep them strong by doing strengthening exercises and gentle stretches. The shoulders are prone to injury so be sure to do these stretches routinely. 

Bone Fractures 

Broken bones can happen, especially if you have osteoporosis. However, exercise is still important because it keeps your muscles and bones strong and reduces your risk for falling. To prevent bone fractures, choose a combination of weight-bearing exercises, resistance exercises and balance exercises. Getting enough Vitamin D and calcium also supports strong bones. 

If You Do Suffer an Injury, Contact Jersey Rehab 

The summer season opens up new possibilities for sports and activities, but remember to keep your safety and health in mind. The summer is short, so you don’t want to waste time indoors due to an injury. However, if this does happen, be sure to schedule an appointment with Jersey Rehab. We have various therapies that can help you heal quickly and restore your original mobility!