What Are The Most Common Sports Injuries? Exter

Posted on 3/20/2026, 7:02:52 PM

Playing sports is a great way to stay fit, but unfortunately many sports come with a high risk of injury. By being aware of these injuries you can take preventative measures and know when to seek medical attention. Below we’ll take a look at four of the most common injuries developed while playing sports: sprained ligaments, pulled hamstrings, ACL tears, rotator cuff injuries and shin splints.

Sprained ankles 

Sprained ankles are one of the most frequently reported injuries. This is when the fibers that connect bones at the ankle joint are stretched or torn.

Such injuries can happen in various sports - especially those that involve rapid changes in direction such as basketball or soccer. They can vary in severity from a grade 1 (a mild stretch) to grade 3 (a complete tear). 

The best form of treatment for sprained ligaments is often the R.I.C.E method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) or physical therapy in severe cases. You can prevent sprains by always doing warm ups and avoiding running on uneven surfaces. 

Pulled hamstring

A pulled hamstring involves tearing the muscles in the back of the thigh. It’s a common injury in sports that require sprinting or sudden stops and starts.

A sharp pain in the back of the thigh accompanied by swelling and muscle stiffness is a sure sign of a pulled hamstring. Recovery time depends on the severity of the tear.

As with sprained ligaments use the R.I.C.E. method immediately after developing this injury and take a break from running until it heals. Gentle stretching and physical therapy could help.

ACL tear

This is a type of serious sprain that affects the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee joint. It’s often caused by a direct blow to the knee or the leg being twisted sharply.

Many people experience a ‘popping’ sensation at the time of the injury. This is followed by swelling around the knee. Common sports to experience this injury include football, basketball and skiing. 

Investing in rehabilitation with the help of a physical therapy service such as Trinity Rehab is often recommended if you experience this injury - this will help to strengthen the knee and restore functionality. Athletes can even consider surgery as a quicker fix.

Rotator cuff injury

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons in the shoulder. Injuries to the rotator cuff are common among athletes who frequently perform overhead activities (such as baseball players and tennis players).

If you experience pain while lifting the arm and limited movement in the shoulder, you may have an injured rotator cuff. Tears and tendonitis are the two most common rotator cuff injuries.

Treatment could include rest and physical therapy or surgery in the event of more severe tears. 

Shin splints

Shin splints are a type of pain that occurs in the shin - usually caused by running for prolonged periods on hard surfaces. 

Stress on the shinbone causes surrounding tendons to become inflamed, which leads to achiness.

The R.I.C.E method is the best way to alleviate shin splints. To reduce the risk of this injury, always wear correct footwear when doing sports (wearing good quality running shoes when running can greatly reduce the risk of developing shin splints).