Injuries due to rollerblading and how to prevent them

Skateboarding can not only burn calories, but can also be a fun sport. But behind the excitement felt, roller skating that is not done carefully can risk causing injury.

Incidents of injuries while using roller skates are common, including in professional skaters. The reason is because they are racing skates at high speed in a race.

Various Injuries Due to Roller Skating

The risk of injury that arises from playing roller skating is very diverse, ranging from knee injuries, wrist injuries, and elbow injuries. To understand the risk of injury further, you can listen to the full explanation below:

• Knee injury

  When rollerblading, often the knee lands first when you fall. This then increases the risk of knee injury. Because blood vessels and nerves can be damaged or pinched during a fall. Injuries that can occur include sprains, torn ligaments (connective tissue between bones or cartilage or joints), fractures of the kneecap and joint dislocations.

• Wrist injury

  Not only about the feet, playing roller skating can also cause injuries to the hands. Because when you fall, it's not impossible that your hands will try to hold you back. Wrist injuries that can occur include fractures or sprains. If you sprain your wrist, try to rest your wrist and apply an ice pack to the area.

• Elbow injury

  Injuries while rollerblading run the risk of causing elbow dislocation or displacement of the elbow bones. This elbow dislocation can cause severe pain, can't move or bend the elbow, and experience swelling. An elbow dislocation is a serious injury, because under the elbow are nerves and arteries.

Preventing Injury While Rolling Skates

The risk of injury while rollerblading can be reduced and prevented in several ways, including:

• Provide first aid

  If you injure your knee while rollerblading, seek first aid immediately. First aid options include resting the injured leg, using a knee brace or using a knee brace bracing so that the knee does not move much. Check with a doctor if you feel the injury is severe enough and does not improve.

• Compress the wound with ice cubes

  If you injure your elbow while rollerblading, it is recommended that you immediately apply ice to the swollen area and reduce or avoid movement of your elbow. Ice cubes can help reduce bruising and pain from an injury. If the injury is severe enough, immediately see a doctor.

• Undergo treatment at the hospital

  For treatment at the hospital, doctors will usually work with a physiotherapist for treatment and exercises that can be done to treat the injury. Your doctor can use manipulation techniques to bring your elbow back into position if you have injured your elbow. A splint can prevent the wrist from moving too much, which could risk re-injuring the tendon. Otherwise, this risks causing incomplete healing, limited movement, and long-term disability.

Roller skating is fun, but remember to be careful while doing this sport. Also make sure you use knee, elbow and helmet protectors specifically for roller skating. Don't let the fun of doing sports disappear or cause harmful injuries, because you are not being careful.