The worst sports injury is a fracture of the vertebrae in the neck or back, which can lead to paralysis. In some cases, the individual can recover after such an injury, regaining the use of their upper and lower body function. These injuries often require lengthy recovery periods to regain full function.
Athletes are subject to a wide range of injuries that can range from simple sprains to long-lasting traumatic brain injuries. Proper training, the use of approved safety equipment and immediate medical attention for injuries have helped to reduce the severe physical effects from sports-related injuries and have provided athletes with increased ability to recover from injuries that occur during play.
Some of the Worst Sports Injury
Minor injuries often occur during any kind of sport, but some athletic activities are more likely to cause serious injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur from impacts during play, as in football or from serious falls. These injuries can lead to permanent loss of function in the extremities.
Potential for paralysis and loss of function
Severe spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis and loss of function. These injuries are often irreversible and life changing.
Examples: Marc Buoniconti (college football), Dennis Byrd (NFL)
While playing football for The Citadel, Marc Buoniconti suffered a dislocation of two vertebrae in his upper spine, which caused paralysis from the neck down, ending his football career. In 1992, Jets player Dennis Byrd suffered a fracture of a vertebra in his neck, which rendered him unable to walk. Rehabilitation allowed him to regain his mobility.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
The seriousness of traumatic brain injuries has become better understood, and today, athletes that engage in sports that involve physical impacts or blows to the head follow careful protocols to minimize negative effects.
Long-term cognitive and emotional consequences
Traumatic brain injuries, such as those that occur in football, soccer, hockey, boxing and other impact sports, can lead to long-term memory problems, poor concentration, mood swings, sleep problems, depression and anxiety.
Examples: Steve Montador (NHL), Ben Roethlisberger (NFL)
Stever Montador, player for the Calgary Flames, died at the age of 35 from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a type of brain injury thought to result from his years of playing hockey. Now retired Pittsburgh Steelers player, Ben Roethlisberger has experienced a number of concussions during play, sparking specific efforts to monitor him for traumatic brain injury symptoms that have caused the early deaths of a number of football players.
Compound Fractures and Gruesome Breaks
A compound fracture is one that involves the breaking of a bone that pierces the skin open. Fractures of the tibia and fibula are common and can occur in several places, which makes the injury one that can cause permanent impairment of function.
Visually shocking and often career-altering
In some cases, shocking and even career-ending injuries have occurred in the world of sports that show how dangerous these activities can be for individuals.
Examples: Joe Theismann (NFL), Paul George (NBA)
In November of 1985, Washington Redskins player Joe Theismann suffered a severe fracture of the leg between the ankle and the knee. Once the break had healed, one leg was shorter than the other, and the impairment ended his career. In 2014, Paul George of the Indiana Clippers experienced a compound fracture of the lower leg, which kept him out of the rest of the season. He was able to return to play after the injury had fully healed.
Preventative Measures and Safety Initiatives
Because of the high rates of injuries for some sports, the industry has taken a number of actions to help protect athletes and ensure they have appropriate safety equipment available and highly trained medical staff on hand to treat specific kinds of injuries.
Efforts to reduce the risk of severe injuries in sports
Organized sports have taken particular interest in technologies and techniques that can help to minimize the severe kinds of injuries that can occur in various fields, requiring the use of special equipment and specially trained physician to be on hand to provide appropriate care in a timely manner.
Advancements in equipment, training, and medical care
Safety equipment for athletes has seen a number of improvements that have made a significant difference in injury rates. Proper training and conditioning can help to reduce accident rates and physical impairment after a serious accident. New techniques in medical treatment have also help to reduce long-term effects of injuries in sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most painful injury in sports
According to the Healthgrades site, an Achilles tendon rupture is considered very painful, followed by an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
Which sport has most serious injuries
Rock climbing is considered one of the most dangerous sports with the most serious injuries, due to the irregular terrain, heights and unpredictable weather conditions that can easily lead to accidents, which are sometimes lethal.
What are the worst injuries in extreme sports
Extreme sports such as skydiving, BASE jumping, rock climbing and surfing can lead to severe injuries, such as head trauma, brain injuries, severe wounds, internal organ injury, cardiac events, facial trauma, spinal injuries and amputations.
What injury takes the longest to recover from
According to the NBCSportsChicago site, torn ligament injuries often have the longest recovery times, requiring surgery, a healing period and physical therapy after surgery to regain full function.
What’s the worst type of pain
Nerve pain can be very troublesome, with a limited number of medications that can help to relieve discomfort.
What is the safest sport in the world
Swimming is considered one of the safest sports in the world, with a low risk of impact or injury. Table tennis is another safe sport that offers a low risk of injury.
What is the most physically damaging sport
American football is one of the physically damaging sports, due to the fast movements, sudden turns, hard impacts and possibility for traumatic brain injury.
What sport has the most brain injuries
You may be surprised to learn that cycling is the sport that has the most brain injuries. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, this is due to the frequency of serious falls that can occur when cycling at high speeds.
What is the most painful sport in the world
Basketball is the sport that is most prone to causing injuries because of the fast and frequent turns, stops and twisting motions that can lead to a variety of painful injuries. Football is another sport that causes injuries routinely.
What is the hardest injury to heal
Ligament tears are among the hardest injuries to heal and take the most time for recovery. It is not uncommon for healing and post-surgery physical therapy to keep at athlete out of play for up to 15 months.
What is the most painful bone to break
The most painful broken bone is generally considered to be the rib. A broken rib makes breathing painful and causes pain with any type of movement.
