A football game. A morning run before work. A youth baseball tournament. Volleyball. Pickleball. What do all these things have in common? They’re among the many ways you or your child can wind up with a sports injury. Sports injuries typically involve bones, joints, muscles and other musculoskeletal tissues. And they’re not just a problem for competitive athletes. Anyone who’s active can wind up with an injury that sidelines them from their favorite pastime or even their job. Sports injuries can happen suddenly—for instance, if you collide with another athlete or roll your ankle. They may also come on gradually due to repeating the same motion, such as throwing a ball or swinging a club. You might have sudden (acute) symptoms or ongoing (chronic) aches and pains. Common sports injuries include: ● Shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears. ● Elbow injuries, such as tennis, golf and Little League elbow. ● Knee injuries, such as runner’s knee; meniscus tears; and anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tears. ● Ankle injuries, such as sprains and Achilles tendon tears. Nonorthopedic injuries, such as concussions, are also common during sports. What treatments are available? For minor injuries, doctors often recommend treating pain and swelling with RICE: ● Rest. Rest the injured area. ● Ice. Apply a cold pack several times a day. ● Compression. Use a compression bandage to help manage swelling. Jeremy Kudera, MD, ABOS 605-665-1722 Brent Adams, MD, ABOS General Orthopedics and Spine Specialist 605-665-1722 Ben Lancaster, MD, ABOS 605-665-1722 Treating sports injuries Orthopedic experts can help you get back in the game ● Elevation. Elevate the injury—for instance, prop a sprained ankle up with several pillows so it’s above the level of your heart. Get help if you have signs of a more serious injury, such as severe pain, swelling or bruising; pain and swelling that last more than a few days; or the injured area’s inability to bear weight. For prompt evaluation of sports injuries, our clinic accepts walk-in patients for acute care with family medicine providers Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. If needed, they consult with our orthopedic team. If you’d like to schedule directly with our orthopedic surgeons, call 605-665-1722. Fall/Winter 2026 11 Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Academy of Pediatrics; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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