| There are two basic types of sports injury, | | | | sports players can suffer. Small tears in the |
| overuse injuries and traumatic injuries. | | | | ligaments or meniscus can heal by themselves |
| Fairly obviously, overuse relates to wear and | | | | with the proper treatment, though |
| tear over a period of time and will result in | | | | arthroscopic surgery is still sometimes |
| damage to the body that begins to hurt. | | | | required. Major tears, such as damage to the |
| Achilles tendonitis is a classic example of | | | | anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) will often |
| this where pain begins to occur in the lower | | | | require surgery for sports participators, |
| back of the leg. A traumatic injury is a | | | | though a damaged medial collateral ligament |
| sudden one, like a muscle pull or tear that | | | | (MCL) will heal itself.Again, hinged braces |
| happens without warning.Traumatic injuries - | | | | with rigid metal supports provide most |
| AnklesOne of the most common sports injuries | | | | protection, particularly to the medial and |
| is the ankle sprain, which can be either an | | | | lateral ligaments. Unfortunately no brace can |
| inversion or eversion injury. Inversion is | | | | prevent ACL injury as this can occur with |
| much more common due to the relative weakness | | | | just a very slight twist of the knee, but a |
| of the lateral ligaments. Where eversion does | | | | hinged brace will assist with recovery from |
| occur, damage to the stronger medial ligament | | | | the injury. These hinged braces are not |
| will usually take longer to repair.There are | | | | suitable for wear while playing sports. More |
| three basic types of ankle brace available, | | | | suitable are stabilized knee supports, |
| and the most effective in the prevention of | | | | secured by straps, which are slightly less |
| this type of injury is the semi-rigid hinged | | | | effective, but are not so restrictive and |
| brace. Unfortunately this brace is not ideal | | | | will not cause injury to other players. |
| for wearing while playing sports as it will | | | | Neoprene knee supports will only offer |
| impair mobility and movement. The least | | | | moderate protection from the common injuries, |
| effective is the heat retaining neoprene type | | | | but if the requirement is to keep the knee |
| brace which although keeping the ankle warm | | | | joint warm to assist mobility, then these |
| will not prevent sprains. The brace best | | | | will suffice.WristsLike the ankle, the wrist |
| suited to players is the laced type, which | | | | can easily be sprained, most commonly in a |
| does offer a good level of protection, | | | | fall for sports players. The damage can vary |
| particularly from inversion.KneesKnee | | | | from a micro-tear to a severe or even |
| injuries are often the most serious that | | | | complete tear of the ligament tissue. |