Common injuries sustained during national service- As we get closer to the end of the year, many young men and women in our society will be completing their tertiary education and preparing for the next chapter of their lives – National Service.
It is likely that many would have spent the months preceding enlistment preparing for national examinations, which entails hours of sitting to study. This drastic change from a fairly sedentary lifestyle to one that is bustling with physical activity could potentially cause injuries.
An increase in physical activity could exert undue stress on the joints and muscles of the body. Some common injuries involve the joints – knees, ankles and shoulders and the muscles associated with them. Here are three types of injuries our National Servicemen could more commonly be afflicted with.
Knee Injuries
Such injuries most commonly occur as National Servicemen often engage in exercise for long durations. Iliotibial Band Syndrome and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome are the most commonly occurring injuries associated with the knee.
The former occurs when the iliotibial band (a long tendon spanning the length of the side of the knee) gets fatigued while the latter is due to a fatigued patella (region of the kneecap). When either of these structures are fatigued, they could become inflamed and cause tingling, numbness or pain in the region.
Ankle Injuries
The many long hours National Servicemen spend hiking or running through jungles and uneven terrain during their training could cause sprains to the ankle. An ankle sprain could occur when a movement is out of the typical range, causing the foot to fall in either an inverted or everted manner.
This causes an overstretching of the ligaments present at the ankle joint which causes a sprain. When such injuries occur, the movements of the ankle could be restricted, followed by pain and swelling of the region.
Shoulder Injuries
Injuries to the shoulder may involve the joint or the muscles as National Servicemen are often required to carry heavy combat equipment during their training. Injuries associated with the shoulders most commonly include the rotator cuff (muscles surrounding the shoulder joint).
In instances of prolonged injury, these muscles fail to repair themselves and micro-tears could be exacerbated, causing macro-tears and potentially impingement of the nerves in this region, causing great pain. In fact, injuries sustained to the shoulders could also cause secondary pain to the surrounding structures such as the hands and neck.
These common injuries are more likely to occur when we are introduced to a routine of rigorous training and physical activity from previously having lived rather sedentary lives. This means that they are also easily preventable. In the lead up to their National Service training, it would be advisable for individuals to start developing a regular pattern of exercise and physical activity. This ensures that over time, their muscles and bones will be more prepared for the vigorous training they will be inevitably be participating in.
Whilst training to serve our nation, remember to consult a physician should you sustain any injuries that persist.