Coping With a Sports-Related Injury

Sports injuries are frustrating and challenging to overcome. But if you understand your injury and treatment options and maintain a positive attitude while on the road to recovery, the healing process can move a little faster.

No matter the competitive level, the natural emotions felt after sustaining a sports injury can make a difficult situation much worse. Avoid this by creating a coping plan that will help you achieve your goals and get you back in the game.

Accept your injury – Although the injury may not have been your fault, accepting that it has occurred will allow you to focus on your recovery rather than dwelling on the activities you can no longer do as a result.

Monitor your attitude – Maintaining a positive outlook on your recovery and rehabilitation will allow you to remain focused on the tasks at hand, and it will fuel your determination to overcome your injury.

Learn about your injury and recovery – Learn as much as possible about your injury from your doctor and those around you. Consider asking the following questions to avoid fear or anxiety about your recovery.

• What type of injury do I have?
• How long will my recovery take?
• How will the treatments you have suggested help me recover?
• What should I expect from rehabilitation?
• What alternative workouts can I do safely?
• What are the warning signs that my injury is getting worse?

Set recovery goals – View your injury as a training challenge and set realistic goals that will help you recover faster and stronger. Setting goals will help you stay focused, motivated, and optimistic.

Maintain your fitness level – With your physician and trainers, determine whether there are alternative forms of training that will help you maintain cardiovascular health and strength. If your options for fitness alternatives are limited, consider placing the emphasis on nutritional health instead.

For more questions, please contact the sports medicine doctors at Eastern Oklahoma Orthopedic Center by calling (888) 231-4422 or click here.