A fall, car accident, or blow can cause a fracture, and the severity depends on the force that caused the break. Growth plate fractures are unique to children who are still growing. A fracture is a break in a bone that occurs from either a quick, one-time injury, known as an acute fracture, or from repeated stress, known as a stress fracture. Injuries to the musculoskeletal system that are common in athletes include fractures, dislocations, sprains, strains, tendinitis, or bursitis. In some cases, wear and tear from overuse injuries can set the stage for acute injuries. Chronic injuries, which are usually related to overuse and develop gradually over time.Sports injuries are broadly categorized into two kinds: While adverse events do sometimes happen when playing sports or exercising, most physical activity is safe for almost everyone, and the health benefits far outweigh the risks. A rehabilitation program that includes exercise and other types of therapy is usually recommended before resuming the sport or activity that caused the injury. For more serious injuries, you will need to see a health care provider, and you may need to be set up for a course of physical therapy for rehabilitation and/or fitted for a cast, splint, or brace. Treatment for a sports injury depends on the type of injury, but minor ones can usually be treated at home by resting, icing, compressing, and elevating (R-I-C-E) the injured part of the body. Examples of acute injuries are sprains and dislocations, while some common chronic injuries are shin splints and stress fractures. Acute injuries happen suddenly, such as when a person falls, receives a blow, or twists a joint, while chronic injuries usually result from overuse of one area of the body and develop gradually over time. Sports injuries are divided into two broad categories, acute and chronic injuries. The musculoskeletal system is the network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and other tissues that provides the body with stability and enables movement. This health topic focuses on the most common types of sports injuries-those that affect the musculoskeletal system. Ultimately, however, “sports injuries” refers to those that occur in active individuals. Factory workers get tennis elbow, painters get shoulder injuries, and gardeners develop tendinitis, even though they may not participate in sports. The term “sports injury” refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise, but they are not limited to athletes.