The potential scope of this topic is vast and no attempt will be made here to cover all the ground. The aim is to help the generalist who does not have special expertise in sports related injuries in the approach to diagnosis and management. Sportsmen and women are different from the rest. They are driven. They are passionate. They are eager to return to their activity. A cursory examination followed by the advice to “just rest it until it gets better” is not good enough.
Some people earn a living by playing sport and a number earn millions of pounds a year in doing so. Most professional sportsmen are rather less highly paid but it is still their livelihood and even amateurs may be very dedicated to what they do. It is a very important part of their lives. The term “sportsman” here includes all who partake in physical activity, both male and female, as a hobby or as a career. This will include dancers and some occupations such as fire fighters.
