Sports & Fitness topics
Sports injuries and accidents
Read about common sports injuries and accidents and the body structures most often damaged in sport and find out what the treatment is for common sports injuries.
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon. It can be caused by overly tight calf muscles and excessive uphill or downhill running, amongst other things.
Animation: sports injuries
View our animation of some common sports injuries. Click on the injured part of the body to see a diagram and description of the injury.
Ankle sprain
Ankle sprain is damage to the ankle ligaments caused by a single sudden incident.
Bursitis
Bursitis - inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs called bursae - is usually caused by overuse of a joint. Find out about the symptoms, causes and treatments of bursitis.
Calf strain or tear
Calf strain or tear is caused by overstretching or tearing of either of the 2 calf muscles.
Concussion
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that causes temporary changes to brain function, such as loss of consciousness. It is a common sports injury.
Corked thigh
Corked thigh is caused by bleeding into the thigh muscle - usually caused by a direct blow to the thigh during contact sports. Treatment involves RICE.
Diving accidents
Diving into shallow water can cause spinal cord injuries leading to paraplegia, tetraplegia (quadriplegia) or death.
Erectile dysfunction and cycling
Does cycling affect the penis and cause erectile dysfunction and impotence?
Golfer's elbow
Golfer`s elbow affects the bony bump on the inside portion of the elbow.
Groin strain
Groin strain commonly involves a partial tear of the adductor muscles of the inner thigh.
Hamstring strain or tear
A hamstring strain or tear involves over-stretching one of the 3 hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh.
Head and neck sports injuries: on-field management
An on-field sporting injury to the head or neck can potentially be very serious and such injuries need to be managed effectively, quickly and safely.
Headgear essential in amateur sport
Non-professional players of heavy contact sports should wear headgear to reduce the incidence of mild traumatic brain injuries.
Heel pain
Heel pain is most commonly caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammatory condition of the sole of the foot.
Heel spurs
Pain in the heel area is common and may be associated with a calcaneal spur, sometimes called a heel spur.
Hip and thigh
Take a look at the muscles of your hip and thigh including the iliotibial band (ITB), tensor fasciae latae, as well as the gluteus maximus and vastus lateralis muscles.
ITB syndrome
ITB syndrome is inflammation of the iliotibial band, the strong band of thick tissue that runs down the outside of the thigh.
Joint: synovial
The hip, knee and finger joints are all synovial joints. View this diagram of the structure of a synovial joint.
Knee ligaments
The knee is the largest joint in your body, forming a hinge between your thigh bone (femur) above and the bones of your lower leg the tibia (shin bone) and fibula, below.
Kneecap pain
Kneecap pain, also known as runner's knee or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is characterised by pain at the front or middle edge of the knee or behind the kneecap.
Leg (knee to ankle) - superficial posterior view
View the calf muscles and achilles tendon in this illustration of the lower leg.
Leg cramps
Leg cramps, which usually affect the calf muscles, can be excruciatingly painful. Find out about the causes and treatments.
Mallet finger
Find out about the symptoms and treatment for mallet finger - the result of an injury to the tendon that extends your fingertip.
Muscle aches and pains: treatments
Anti-inflammatory medications can help in the treatment of muscular aches and pains by reducing inflammation, while heat rubs can help to over-ride the sensation of pain.
Muscle and joint strains and sprains
Muscle strains or joint sprains happen when muscles or ligaments are overstretched and can take up to 6 weeks to heal.
Muscular aches and pains
Muscular aches and pains may be caused by overuse or unaccustomed use of muscles.
NSAIDs overused in musculoskeletal injury
The perception that NSAIDs offer superior pain relief over paracetamol for the treatment of many sports injuries may be inaccurate.
Osteitis pubis in athletes
Find out about the symptoms and treatment of osteitis pubis - an inflammatory condition that affects the symphysis pubis (the joint between the pubic bones).
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (kneecap pain)
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common disorders of the knee, accounting for up to one in every 4 knee injuries.
Piriformis syndrome
Piriformis syndrome involves the piriformis muscle of the buttock compressing and irritating the sciatic nerve.
Posterior tibial tendon injury
Injury to the tibialis posterior tendon, which helps to point the foot down and in, may lead to irreversible damage if left untreated.
Rotator cuff injury
Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place and help move the shoulder.
Sciatica: symptoms, causes and diagnosis
Sciatica is a condition characterised by pain deep in the buttock often radiating down the back of the leg along the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica: treatment
Most sciatica gets better within a few weeks. If not, there are treatments that may help relieve your sciatica pain.
Shin pain (shin splints)
Shin pain or shin splints encompasses a few specific conditions causing pain down the shin or along the inside of the lower leg.
Shoulder impingement syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome is caused by pinching of the supraspinatus tendon and bursa between the upper arm bone and roof of the shoulder.
Shoulder pain
Find out about the causes and treatment of shoulder pain, including frozen shoulder, rotator cuff syndrome, dislocated shoulder and arthritis.
Slideshow: Top 10 causes of joint pain
What's causing your joint pain? Find out the most common causes of joint pain.
Sports injury prevention
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your fitness programme while preventing sports injuries.
Swimmer's ear (otitis externa)
Infection of the lining to the ear canal is a condition known as otitis externa or `swimmer`s ear`. Find out the symptoms, causes and treatment of swimmer's ear.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition where the outside portion of the elbow becomes painful.
Tennis elbow cures: jury still out
A review of treatments for tennis elbow shows acupuncture might provide temporary relief.
Tibialis posterior tendon injury
Find out all about tibialis posterior tendon injury, which typically occurs in middle-aged women after twisting the ankle.
Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon. It can be caused by overly tight calf muscles and excessive uphill or downhill running, amongst other things.
Animation: sports injuries
View our animation of some common sports injuries. Click on the injured part of the body to see a diagram and description of the injury.
Ankle sprain
Ankle sprain is damage to the ankle ligaments caused by a single sudden incident.
Bursitis
Bursitis - inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs called bursae - is usually caused by overuse of a joint. Find out about the symptoms, causes and treatments of bursitis.
Calf strain or tear
Calf strain or tear is caused by overstretching or tearing of either of the 2 calf muscles.
Concussion
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that causes temporary changes to brain function, such as loss of consciousness. It is a common sports injury.
Corked thigh
Corked thigh is caused by bleeding into the thigh muscle - usually caused by a direct blow to the thigh during contact sports. Treatment involves RICE.
Diving accidents
Diving into shallow water can cause spinal cord injuries leading to paraplegia, tetraplegia (quadriplegia) or death.
Erectile dysfunction and cycling
Does cycling affect the penis and cause erectile dysfunction and impotence?
Golfer's elbow
Golfer`s elbow affects the bony bump on the inside portion of the elbow.
Groin strain
Groin strain commonly involves a partial tear of the adductor muscles of the inner thigh.
Hamstring strain or tear
A hamstring strain or tear involves over-stretching one of the 3 hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh.
Head and neck sports injuries: on-field management
An on-field sporting injury to the head or neck can potentially be very serious and such injuries need to be managed effectively, quickly and safely.
Headgear essential in amateur sport
Non-professional players of heavy contact sports should wear headgear to reduce the incidence of mild traumatic brain injuries.
Heel pain
Heel pain is most commonly caused by plantar fasciitis, an inflammatory condition of the sole of the foot.
Heel spurs
Pain in the heel area is common and may be associated with a calcaneal spur, sometimes called a heel spur.
Hip and thigh
Take a look at the muscles of your hip and thigh including the iliotibial band (ITB), tensor fasciae latae, as well as the gluteus maximus and vastus lateralis muscles.
ITB syndrome
ITB syndrome is inflammation of the iliotibial band, the strong band of thick tissue that runs down the outside of the thigh.
Joint: synovial
The hip, knee and finger joints are all synovial joints. View this diagram of the structure of a synovial joint.
Knee ligaments
The knee is the largest joint in your body, forming a hinge between your thigh bone (femur) above and the bones of your lower leg the tibia (shin bone) and fibula, below.
Kneecap pain
Kneecap pain, also known as runner's knee or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is characterised by pain at the front or middle edge of the knee or behind the kneecap.
Leg (knee to ankle) - superficial posterior view
View the calf muscles and achilles tendon in this illustration of the lower leg.
Leg cramps
Leg cramps, which usually affect the calf muscles, can be excruciatingly painful. Find out about the causes and treatments.
Mallet finger
Find out about the symptoms and treatment for mallet finger - the result of an injury to the tendon that extends your fingertip.
Muscle aches and pains: treatments
Anti-inflammatory medications can help in the treatment of muscular aches and pains by reducing inflammation, while heat rubs can help to over-ride the sensation of pain.
Muscle and joint strains and sprains
Muscle strains or joint sprains happen when muscles or ligaments are overstretched and can take up to 6 weeks to heal.
Muscular aches and pains
Muscular aches and pains may be caused by overuse or unaccustomed use of muscles.
NSAIDs overused in musculoskeletal injury
The perception that NSAIDs offer superior pain relief over paracetamol for the treatment of many sports injuries may be inaccurate.
Osteitis pubis in athletes
Find out about the symptoms and treatment of osteitis pubis - an inflammatory condition that affects the symphysis pubis (the joint between the pubic bones).
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (kneecap pain)
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common disorders of the knee, accounting for up to one in every 4 knee injuries.
Piriformis syndrome
Piriformis syndrome involves the piriformis muscle of the buttock compressing and irritating the sciatic nerve.
Posterior tibial tendon injury
Injury to the tibialis posterior tendon, which helps to point the foot down and in, may lead to irreversible damage if left untreated.
Rotator cuff injury
Your rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that hold the shoulder joint in place and help move the shoulder.
Sciatica: symptoms, causes and diagnosis
Sciatica is a condition characterised by pain deep in the buttock often radiating down the back of the leg along the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica: treatment
Most sciatica gets better within a few weeks. If not, there are treatments that may help relieve your sciatica pain.
Shin pain (shin splints)
Shin pain or shin splints encompasses a few specific conditions causing pain down the shin or along the inside of the lower leg.
Shoulder impingement syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome is caused by pinching of the supraspinatus tendon and bursa between the upper arm bone and roof of the shoulder.
Shoulder pain
Find out about the causes and treatment of shoulder pain, including frozen shoulder, rotator cuff syndrome, dislocated shoulder and arthritis.
Slideshow: Top 10 causes of joint pain
What's causing your joint pain? Find out the most common causes of joint pain.
Sports injury prevention
Here are some tips for getting the most out of your fitness programme while preventing sports injuries.
Swimmer's ear (otitis externa)
Infection of the lining to the ear canal is a condition known as otitis externa or `swimmer`s ear`. Find out the symptoms, causes and treatment of swimmer's ear.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition where the outside portion of the elbow becomes painful.
Tennis elbow cures: jury still out
A review of treatments for tennis elbow shows acupuncture might provide temporary relief.
Tibialis posterior tendon injury
Find out all about tibialis posterior tendon injury, which typically occurs in middle-aged women after twisting the ankle.
