There are two kinds of sports injuries: acute and chronic.
Acute injuries occur suddenly when playing or exercising. Sprained ankles, strained backs, and fractured hands are acute injuries.
Signs of an acute injury include:
- Sudden, severe pain.
- Swelling.
- Not being able to place weight on a leg, knee, ankle, or foot.
- An arm, elbow, wrist, hand, or finger that is very tender.
- Not being able to move a joint as normal.
- Extreme leg or arm weakness.
- A bone or joint that is visibly out of place.
Chronic injuries happen after you play a sport or exercise for a long time. Signs of a chronic injury include:
- Pain when you play.
- Pain when you exercise.
- A dull ache when you rest.
- Swelling.
