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Addressing Old Sports Injuries: What Happens When You Ignore Conditions When You’re Young

More than 3.5 million children under the age of 14 get injured playing sports each year, while 2 million high school and college athletes get hurt. Athletes in their 20s or in professional leagues are also prone to injuries, with 62.49 players per every 100 getting hurt each season.

But many athletes tend to bounce back with mild intervention and treatment, making it easy to forget about their injuries. It’s only as they age that old sports injuries become bothersome, and here’s what can happen then:

You run the risk of hurting your bones and joints

As you age, your bones and joints naturally degenerate, and old sports injuries can really cause significant damage. Lack of alignment during the natural healing phase, incorrect or insufficient physical therapy, and deformities that cause protrusion and wear down cartilage can cause lifelong problems for you, leading to conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, and more.

Your muscles, ligaments, and nerves are prone to damage

Similarly, your muscles and ligaments are also prone to tissue death and damage, and your nerves can be injured in the process. Broken bones, misaligned or protruding bones, and injuries can get in the way of your healing and hurt tissues and muscles surrounding the injury site.

This causes instability, issues with mobility, and a wide range of problems, including loss of control over your muscles.

You will experience recurring pain that limits your activity

One of the most significant impacts of an old sports injury that you failed to get treated is pain. Recurring pain at the injury site and in the surrounding tissue, including muscles and joints, and injuries or pain in other body parts like a second limb or your back, spine, neck, etc., are common. Your body will compensate for the injury by relying more on other parts, causing complications and challenges overall.

Whether you’re an amateur or professional athlete or someone who used to play a sport, don’t neglect old sports injuries. You’ll find some of the best sports medicine practitioners in Houston at TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital. Visit the hospital’s website to find orthopedic sports medicine physicians and the right doctor and orthopedic services near you, including knee surgery, hip replacement, sports medicine, and more. Find a physician today and set up an appointment with their office directly.