Whether you’re working out at the gym or in your living room, you should always take precautions to do it safely — whether that means asking someone to spot you or clearing furniture out of the way. Warming up properly, varying your workout routine and taking days off can help keep your body safe. When an injury does occur, though, it’s important to pay attention to the pain and seek medical attention. Here are four common gym injuries you should be familiar with.
1. Runner’s Knee
Also called patellofemoral pain syndrome, runner’s knee is a group of conditions that cause pain around the kneecap. You might risk injury if you run and jump as part of your workout or if you regularly use a spin bike at the gym. Runner’s knee can also be related to tight or weak thigh muscles and problems with the back or hip.
The first step in the treatment of runner’s knee is to stop the activity causing the problem and begin strengthening the thigh muscles. If the injury persists, a doctor may recommend shoe inserts, a knee brace or arthroscopic surgery to realign the kneecap.
2. Shin Splints
Shin splints develop when the tendons, bone tissue and muscle around the tibia become painful and inflamed. This type of workout injury is usually caused by overuse of the muscles at the front of the lower leg, although stress fractures and tendonitis can also lead to shin splints. You may risk this injury if you run, jump, participate in CrossFit or increase your level of physical activity too quickly.
Treatment for shin splints can include rest, compression, flexibility exercises and shoe supports. Doctors only recommend surgery in extreme cases.
3. Bicep Tendon Tears
Bicep tendon rupture often affects people who perform repetitive overhead exercises or lift weights too heavy for their current skill level. Signs you may have torn your bicep tendon include pain in the upper arm and a popping sound at the time of injury.
Nonsurgical treatment options for bicep tendon tears can include rest, ice, medications and physical therapy. If these options don’t relieve the pain, you may need surgery to reattach the tendon to the bone.
4. Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains happen when you fall, twist your ankle or land wrong after a jump. Although they’re not often serious, ankle sprains can cause pain, swelling and trouble putting weight on the foot.
To treat a sprained ankle, your doctor may recommend rest, ice, compression and elevation. You may also want to wear an ankle brace to support the healing ankle and prevent further injury.
Book an Appointment With Dr. Gombera
A gym injury can be inconvenient and painful, but it doesn’t have to stall your progress or keep you from the activities you love. Dr. Mufaddal Gombera will work hard to help you recover quickly and prevent injury in the future. To schedule an appointment at our Houston, Texas, office, please fill out our appointment request form or call (713) 794-3457 today.