Taekwondo is a high-contact sport consisting of quick and powerful strikes and kicks with maximal force. Athletes should maintain control of their form at all times in order to avoid serious injury. The most common injuries are acute muscular injuries from blows or pulled muscles from exertion or falls. <\/p>\n
When an athlete has been injured once, they have an increased risk for sustaining the same injury again. Because of this, and the amount of physical force utilized in Taekwondo, injuries to the hand, wrist, and elbow are extremely common. This may mean that the athlete will need to take a break from competing in order to fully recover, depending on the type and severity of their injury. <\/p>\n
Common injuries to the arm include: <\/p>\n
Taekwondo-related injuries can occur at any time during sparring, training, and even during live contests. They may occur over a period of time (chronic injuries) or they may be sustained from trauma (acute). The degree of injury is determined by the amount of force used and the nature of the trauma. <\/p>\n
Injuries range from swelling and inflammation to breaks and fractures and may be distinguished by immobility in the affected region, tenderness, swelling, or bruising. <\/p>\n
Some of the most common symptoms of Taekwondo injuries may include: <\/p>\n
Because Taekwondo is a high contact sport, injuries are often sustained from forceful physical contact or improper body mechanics. This includes forceful contact both given and received by competitors. Athletes may become injured from one or all of the following: <\/p>\n
An X-ray will typically be ordered to assist in making a definitive diagnosis. An X-ray will confirm the diagnosis and provide information about how many broken pieces there are and whether the pieces have moved out of place. <\/p>\n
Sometimes a CT scan is helpful to evaluate complex multi-fragment fractures. <\/p>\n
Most injuries are easily recognizable due to swelling, deformity of the region or bruising. <\/p>\n
In many cases, treatments range from sling or splint immobilization, corticosteroid injections, and NSAIDs to reduce inflammation, to complex reconstructive surgery of the bones and ligaments. The R.I.C.E.R approach is effective in minimizing swelling to the injury. <\/p>\n
Treatments for Taekwondo injuries range from immobilization using a sling and splinting to complex reconstructive surgery of the bones and ligaments. However, whenever possible, conservative treatments are preferred. <\/p>\n
Immobilization allows the body to repair itself. In some cases, rest, corticosteroid injections, and NSAIDS are sufficient in promoting healing without surgical intervention. Corticosteroids are beneficial in providing immediate pain relief in some cases. <\/p>\n
Surgical intervention may be required in cases where sling or immobilization techniques do not work. Some patients may require repair of ligamentous tissue, improperly aligned breaks, or surgical excision of bone tissue or scar tissue. <\/p>\n
Patients should always seek medical intervention after experiencing pain during or after a competition. Prompt diagnosis can lead to an improved overall prognosis. <\/p>\n
Preventing injury while practicing Taekwondo involves utilizing well-fitted safety gear and preventative countermeasures to prevent a negative effect on the athlete\u2019s career. These include: <\/p>\n
Injuries requiring a splint or cast usually require a patient to be immobilized briefly. In patients requiring surgical intervention, a longer immobilization period may be required, following physical therapy to try to restore mobility and range of motion. Physical therapy may be required for an additional 2-4 months to maximize mobility and comfort following a severe Taekwondo injury. <\/p>\n