Risk of osteoarthritis due to sports injuries

Sports injuries such as torn ligaments and sprained ankles are common causes of cartilage damage, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis later in life even after treatment.

Master, Doctor, Doctor Dao Duy An Duy, Orthopedic Trauma Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, shared the above information, further explaining that cartilage is located between the two ends of the bones of the joint, with the function of protecting and reducing friction in the joint. If the cartilage is damaged and worn, the ends of the bones rub against each other when the patient moves, causing osteoarthritis.

A torn or ruptured anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most common sports injuries, according to Dr. Duy. If not treated promptly, this condition can cause cartilage damage, leading to osteoarthritis. Patients experience pain for a long time, reduced mobility, and face the risk of disability and needing joint replacement later.

Doctor Duy consults on joint health for a patient at Tam Anh General Hospital. Illustration photo: Provided by the hospital — Doctor Duy consults on joint health for a patient at Tam Anh General Hospital. Illustration photo: *Provided by the hospital*

Dr. Duy cited a number of studies showing that about 50% of people with a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament develop osteoarthritis within 12-14 years after surgery, three times higher than those without the injury. Even mild ligament damage that does not cause discomfort to the patient at the time of the injury can damage the cartilage. In addition, other injuries that have recovered but recur frequently still increase the risk of osteoarthritis in the future.

All sports have the effect of improving overall health, maintaining a healthy weight, thereby slowing down the process of joint degeneration. Dr. Duy notes how to reduce the risk of injury when playing sports below.

Choose the right sport : Soccer, basketball... with the characteristics of high speed movement and frequent sudden changes in direction can easily lead to injury, especially in the ligaments. Practicing yoga, swimming... properly helps significantly reduce the risk of injury.

Yoga or tai chi are forms of exercise that focus on improving neuromuscular coordination; enhancing balance and coordination of body movements. Meanwhile, swimming or cycling helps to develop strength, flexibility, balance and endurance.

Moderate exercise : Overtraining increases the risk of injury and accelerates joint degeneration. Avoid sudden increases in activity intensity, only increasing by 10% every one to two sessions. Do not overexert yourself, especially if you are tired, in pain, or experiencing other unusual symptoms.

The body needs adequate rest and recovery time by training one day, resting one day, or alternating between heavy and light training sessions.

Highly competitive sports like football are prone to injury. Illustration: Freepik — Highly competitive sports like football are prone to injury. Illustration: *Freepik*

Complete stretching : Warming up before exercise and cooling down after exercise effectively reduces injury. Stretching, twisting, jogging in place at low intensity... helps the body transition from a state of rest to exercise. Heart rate, breathing rate and body temperature gradually increase to prepare for physical activity at higher intensity.

At the end of the workout, you should stretch again. At this time, stretching movements create an opportunity for muscles to recover quickly, reduce fatigue after exercise, and help eliminate toxins and waste accumulated in the muscles during physical exercise.

Phi Hong

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