Acute injuries are heavily associated with sports because they tend to happen when someone twists a joint or accidentally falls down. If you have ever played basketball, soccer, football, or any other contact sport, you have likely experienced one or more acute injuries. Unlike chronic injuries, acute injuries are sudden and often caused by quick movements. Sometimes this type of injury can be treated at home with rest, ice, and elevation; however, more serious cases will need to be assessed by a primary care physician.

Yes! Although minor sprains, fractures, and twisted ankles won’t cause lifelong damage, many acute injuries can. Unfortunately, they can be traumatic and end a professional sports career. More serious acute injuries such as serious breaks or snapped ligaments will take a long time to fully recover. If you are suffering from a serious acute injury, go to the emergency room right away! Signs that shouldn’t be ignored under any circumstances include:
 
– Visible deformities
– Severe swelling
– Intense pain
– Cracking or popping sounds
– Fever
– Dizziness
– Fainting
– Trouble breathing
– Inability to put any weight or touch on the injured area

Common acute injuries include torn meniscus, broken bones, torn ACL, sprains, rotator cuff tears, and more. Here are the four acute injuries that saw the most:

– Concussion
Concussions are one of the most dangerous acute injuries caused by traumatic force to the head. A repeated history of concussions can lead to serious brain damage. If you experience a blow to the head, talk to your doctor about any abnormal memory loss, dizziness, pain, or incoordination.
 
– Dislocated Shoulder
Dislocated shoulders can usually be popped right back in. They are a common acute injuries in contact sports that do need to be looked at by a doctor. It is not advised to try and pop a dislocated shoulder in on your own. Setting it wrong will cause permanent, serious damage. Other areas that can be dislocated include kneecaps, fingers, and elbows.
 
– Sprains
Muscle sprains occur when a ligament is torn or stretched. Usually, this will cause a joint to move into the wrong position making the sprained area very painful. Wrist sprains, knee sprains, and ankle sprains are the most common and should be checked by a doctor.
 
– Fractures
Fractures are small cracks in the bone caused by overuse of force. These can be incredibly painful and can cause swelling and tenderness to the surrounding area. Acute fractures need to be looked at and x-rayed due to the risk of serious infection.

All acute injuries should be seen by a primary care physician or emergency room doctor. Even minor injuries can turn into more serious ones if not treated properly. Your doctor will be able to conduct a physical exam, x-ray, and assessment for further treatment if necessary.
 
Avant Medical Group specializes in acute injury treatment and can help you throughout your entire recovery. We are here to support you from the initial diagnosis all the way to the end! Give us a call, and we will answer any questions you may have and schedule you with one of our specialists. We are conveniently located at 233 Broadway Suite 2750 New York, NY 10279. We serve patients from New York NY, Brooklyn NY, Manhattan NY, Harlem NY, and Greenwich Village NY.