Proper Athletic Training

One of the most effective ways to reduce the chance you will need to have a joint replacement procedure at some point in your life is to train properly. This will ensure that you are in good shape, have the right amount of flexibility and strength and are getting the right amount of nutrition to keep your body in top form.

Generally, athletic joint injuries can either be caused by an accident (trauma) or to wear and tear over time. The result is an overstressing of the joint, muscles and surrounding tissues, causing inflammation, pain and immobility. Eventually, the joint can’t repair itself on its own, requiring a joint replacement procedure.

Before you ever step on the court or field, you want to be sure that the playing surface is in good repair and that you aren’t using faulty equipment. The weather can also increase your risk of joint injury, so you want to be sure the surface isn’t icy, wet or unforgiving.

Preventing Joint Injuries

The best rule of thumb is this. If you have joint pain, don’t workout or play. Let the joint heal naturally and only return to your normal level of activity when the pain is gone. If it doesn’t go away on its own, see your doctor. Permanent injury may have occurred.

Before you workout, be sure to do a quick warm up. Five minutes should be sufficient, followed by some stretching exercises that will increase flexibility and resilience. Start your activity slowly, and then increase the intensity.

Be sure that your equipment is in good repair and is correct for your activity. Today’s athletic shoes are often engineered to allow certain movements and prevent others. Wearing the wrong shoe can increase the chance that your shoe won’t give just when it needs to in order to prevent injury.

To strengthen the hip region, you want to do some exercises designed specifically for the area. This includes strength walks, straight leg raises and back kicks. If you don’t know how to do these exercises, ask your doctor or look them up online.

Dealing with a serious joint injury can be a difficult, often painful journey. It’s far wiser to prevent injuries in the first place by properly training for your specific sport, including doing warm-ups and stretching exercises before taking the field.