Injuries of the joints, tendons and ligaments are the most
common sports injuries. They make, depending on the sport,
between 37 and 75% of all sports injuries. It is important
to distinguish between the ligaments and the tendons. While
tendons connect muscles to bones, ligaments connect the bones.
However, the symptoms are similar, so it is very difficult to
distinguish them. Both the tendons and the ligaments are composed
of connective tissue, ie. of collagen fibers. In tendons, the
fibers are placed in parallel, allowing more flexibility that
enables the muscle to move, ie. its stretching and shortening,
and this makes them more suitable for connecting muscles to
bone. The fibers in ligaments are criss-crossed with the aim
of firmness of ligaments and of stabilization of bones in the
joints.
Range of injuries ranges from mild, such as sprains and strains
to the ones that are classified as severe and that require
hospitalization. Injuries can be generally classified into
overload injuries ("overuse syndromes") and acute injuries.
The causes of acute injuries are generally recoiled movements
during jumping, landing, and generally during any other sudden
acceleration or deceleration, or when sudden changes of direction.
Injuries that are incurred in that way are called sprains or
distensions. Damage occurs when the fibers become torn, and
the severity of the injury depends on the extent to which
they are torn and what kind of pain is experienced as a
result of those injuries. Due to lack of blood flow into
the tissues, ruptures sometimes become permanent damage that
can be ended by their removal. Also, if the ligament is
sprained more than it is bearable, there is a possibility
that it will never be able to return to its original
condition.
The massage improves the blood circulation, accelerates the
healing of damaged structures, and strengthens the muscles that
support the joints.