Sport Injuries

In the case of an acute strain, muscle soreness or a slight injury as a result of a sports activity, affected persons seek rapid help at the pharmacy. PTA-Forum has compiled the most important vocabulary, questions and advice on the subject of "sports injuries".

If you are doing early-morning exercise or gymnastics regularly, you may wish to continue this habit even during your holidays. Some participants in congresses may even arrange to meet early morning for some joint jogging. But if the necessary warming-up phase is left out, the result of the sport activity may be sore muscles, strains and in the worst case a torn ligament.

Those holidaymakers who want to try a new type of sport or new equipment in their holidays are even more at risk of injury. Some approach this challenge too ambitiously and overestimate their own capabilities.

When looking for fast relief of their physical problems in a foreign country whose language they do not speak, the persons affected will mostly visit a pharmacy. Before any medication can be recommended pharmacy technicians or the pharmacist need to ask some questions and clarify if self-medication can be responsibly commended or if a visit to a doctor is advisable.

Important questions for the consultation

• Since when have you had these problems?
• How did it happen?
• How do you experience these symptoms?
• Have you already tried anything to ease the symptoms?
• Are you having bad pains?
• How badly has your mobility been impaired?
• Are you taking any medication regularly?

Additional information

• You should allow yourself a few days of rest.
• Should your arm/leg swell, it is best to apply an ice bag to the area affected, but pay attention to the intervals. Otherwise hypothermia will occur. To avoid local hypothermia, the ice bag should not be placed directly on the skin but be wrapped in a cloth.
• It is best to elevate your leg.
• Apply the anti-swelling ointment/ the gel thinly several times a day.
• Should your problems get worse, make sure to see a doctor.
• Put together a first aid kit for emergencies.
• Before any sport activities, always do some warming-up with stretching exercises first.