Injuries are a part of life. They are more common for people who have heavy physical exertion as a part of their daily life, like athletes and construction workers; however it doesn’t matter who you are, there is always a risk that you might injure yourself somehow.
Injuries can be debilitating and can ruin careers for athletes and people who rely on their ability to physically exert themselves to make a living. However, most commonly occurring injuries can be resolved easily if you give it proper medical attention and care. Even so, many people resort to making it do and self-diagnosis and self-medication as well.
Here are 10 common injuries and the potential long-term effects they may have if they are left untreated:
Sprains
Sprains are extremely common injuries in which ligaments and soft tissues around the ankle of the foot may tear because of unnecessary stress to the area. Sprains can occur when you twist your ankle while walking or running, when you fall, or when you are trying to walk on uneven ground.
While sprains are usually not serious injuries at all, they do require proper attention and care. The area that has been sprained once runs the risk of being sprained over and over again if you do not care for it properly. This is because ankle instability is the most common after-effect of a sprain.
If a person experiences sprains in the same areas over and over again, they run the risk of contracting arthritis and other serious diseases in their later years.
Sciatica
Sciatica is severe pain, tingling, or a burning sensation in the lower back that can radiate to the buttocks and thigh. Sciatica itself can resolve on its own but it usually results as a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. This is why it is important to resolve that issue to reduce the risk of contracting sciatic pain again.
It is very important to get appropriate medical treatment for sciatic pain so that the doctor can also diagnose what the cause for experiencing sciatica is. Conyers treatment for back injuries is quite competent in helping relieve sciatic pains and diagnosing the causes as well.
If sciatica is left untreated and is experienced multiple times over the years, it can cause a condition called spinal stenosis, in which the spinal canal narrows in the lower back and may cause weakness and paralysis as well.
Dislocated Shoulders
Dislocated shoulders are very common in athletes who play high-impact sports like boxing and rugby. However, it can be experienced by anyone who puts a lot of stress on their shoulder and dislocates it from the socket.
Just like sprains, the problem with dislocating your shoulder once is that you run the risk of dislocating it again and again. While it is not a very threatening condition, it can be extremely painful. So make sure you heal it properly before going back to your normal routine.
Fractures
Fractures and broken bones are also very common injuries, especially in people who have to physically exert themselves on a daily basis. Pain from broken bones and fractures is very severe and can cause a person to be sick or dizzy as well. Treatment for fractures mainly consists of securing the affected area in place with a cast and letting it heal naturally over time. However, broken bones and more severe fractures also need surgical intervention.
The problem with fractures is also that a bone that has been fractured once runs the risk of being fractured again if not healed properly. If a fractured bone is fractured over and over again, it also increases the chances of the person contracting arthritis.
Torn Meniscus
Menisci are found in the knee joint. Each knee joint has two menisci. The meniscus is torn during intense physical activity and usually creates a popping sound along with a sensation of something slipping in the knee.
If the meniscus tears and is left as is, the constant friction of the meniscus against the articulating cartilage will cause wear and tear which will disrupt the mobility of the knee joint.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow mainly occurs when the tendons in the muscles of the forearm become inflamed and tender. This usually happens because of the overuse of the muscles. Tennis elbow can usually be corrected with halting most physical activity and resting enough.
Tennis elbow can cause pinched nerves that need to be treated with physical therapy. If a tennis elbow is left untreated and the muscle habits that caused it are not corrected, the pain can persist for years.
Concussions
Concussions are also not usually life-threatening. They can often resolve on their own, however, it is preferred that you seek appropriate medical treatment for concussions.
The problem with concussions is that they may not always be easy to diagnose on the first try. Symptoms of a concussion can show up a few hours later or even a few days later. If left as is, and if concussions are repeatedly experienced by a person, they can cause permanent brain damage and symptoms such as dizziness, forgetfulness, and confusion.
Whiplash
Whiplash can also range from mild to severe. It occurs during high impact sports or car accidents when the head jerks outside its normal range of motion. Symptoms of whiplash include pain and stiffness in the neck.
Whiplash is easy to treat but failure to get treatment for it may cause headaches, dizziness, severe pain, and psychological symptoms as well.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs are quite painful and not getting the correct diagnosis or treatment in time may affect your daily life since back muscles are imperative for everyday use.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries also need to be caught in time otherwise overuse of the affected muscles and ligaments can cause excessive wear and tear and affect daily life. Other than that, people with untreated soft tissue injuries may also increase the chances of the affected individuals of getting arthritis in their later years.