Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Sports injuries

A sports injury may happen suddenly after a fall or twist, or develop gradually through overuse. Severe pain, deformity, numbness, inability to bear weight or head and neck symptoms need assessment.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

A sports injury may happen suddenly after a fall or twist, or develop gradually through overuse. Severe pain, deformity, numbness, inability to bear weight or head and neck symptoms need assessment.

  • Pain, swelling, bruising or tenderness.
  • Reduced strength, movement or ability to tolerate activity.
  • Stop the activity if sudden pain occurs and protect the injury.
  • Cool briefly with a cloth between the skin and ice if this relieves pain.
  • Call the same day for inability to bear weight, clear deformity, major swelling, instability or a numb, cold limb.
  • For urgent GP care outside normal opening hours, call HAP 9252. Call Ambulance 912 only for an immediately life-threatening situation.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
K
Knee problemsKnee problems can result from overuse, a twist, wear and tear, irritation around the kneecap or a meniscus or ligament injury, but sometimes from an infection, thrombosis or fracture. The location of pain, how swelling develops and whether you can still bear weight give important clues. A warm red knee with fever, a painful swollen calf, obvious deformity after trauma or inability to bear weight need prompt assessment. Not every knee problem is an emergency, but recurring or unexplained symptoms deserve a clear explanation and examination.
A
After an accidentAfter an accident, injuries may be visible immediately, but symptoms sometimes develop later. First check consciousness, breathing and severe bleeding, and have warning signs assessed promptly.
A
A sprained or torn knee ligamentA knee ligament can stretch or tear after a twist, fall, sporting collision or hard blow. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) or lateral collateral ligament (LCL) may be affected. Symptoms include pain, swelling, instability, the knee giving way and sometimes a pop or an immediate sense that something went wrong. Not every injury is immediately life-threatening, but a locked knee, major swelling after trauma, a cold or pale lower leg, tingling or being unable to bear weight need prompt assessment.