7 Weightlifting Injuries That Seem Harmless but Might Warrant a Doctor’s Visit

By Kate Harveston

If you’re a bodybuilder or even an everyday gym rat, you might think, “I’ll push through it,” when it comes to injuries. It’s okay to work through the pain in some situations. However, assuming more effort will heal everything is a decision that could sideline you for a considerable time.

When should you visit the doctor for a weightlifting injury? Part of the answer depends on the severity and the duration of the pain. Other injuries nearly always warrant an examination to eliminate possibilities like broken bones. Left untreated, these can leave you dwelling on the disabled list. 

These seven injuries may need to be checked out by a doctor. 

1. Broken Finger or Toe 

Ouch! Yes, even a light 3-lb dumbbell can cause considerable injury when dropped on a wayward foot. You might think that a broken finger or toe requires little more than buddy taping it to the neighboring digit. 

However, if you injure your big toe by dropping a dumbbell, or if you see a bone protruding through the skin, seek medical attention. Your toes help you keep your balance. Left untreated, you could develop permanent problems with your gait. 

2. Knocked Tooth 

It seems unusual that you would worry about dental injuries while weightlifting. However, humans are fallible creatures, and accidents happen. It’s possible to hit a tooth while participating in the sport. In these cases, damage to the surrounding tissue can cause the gums to recede and separate from the bone. This situation can lead to tooth loss.

To prevent this, see your dentist if you think you’ve injured a tooth at the gym. Yes, a checkup might cost a bit — but it’s less expensive than needing an implant later! 

3. Pulled Hamstring 

If you’re like many people, your hamstring muscles are tight. This muscle group lines the back of your legs. When these grow taut, they can snap, leading to severe injury. Worse, once you endure one injury to this area, you’re likely to suffer another. Up to a third of people with previous hamstring injuries go on to hurt them again later. 

To prevent hamstring injury, stretch thoroughly after each weightlifting session. If you develop pain in this area, practice RICE and see a doctor. Hamstring injuries can threaten the careers of professional athletes. 

4. Patellar Tendonitis 

Patellar tendonitis refers to inflammation of the connective tissue surrounding the knee. While the condition isn’t career-ending alone, left untreated, it can lead to tears that make movement excruciating. This disorder is also known as jumper’s knee and frequently occurs in runners and powerlifters. 

Your doctor can diagnose patellar tendonitis using a CAT scan. If you have this injury, rest is critical. Attempting to push through the pain can lead to debilitation. When you return to the gym, work with a trainer to perfect your technique. Squatting too low, for example, can create undue pressure on the ligaments and tendons surrounding this joint. 

5. Neck Pain 

Neck pain arises from several causes, including too much stress, so it’s tempting to ignore it. Your pain may have nothing to do with your technique in the weight room — although it could. Your agony could stem from overloading a barbell and placing too much strain on the cervical vertebrae. It can also result from infections of various kinds, so you need an evaluation by a medical professional to determine the cause. 

Untreated neck injuries can potentially lead to paralysis. If you don’t want to see your career or fitness routine permanently sidelined, talk to your doctor. 

6. Lower Back Strain 

You might turn to exercise to treat lower back pain — movement does do wonders for disorders like degenerative disk disease. Lower back injuries can result when your core is weak, so perform exercises to strengthen the entire area. If you experience pain that gets progressively worse or causes weakness, go to Urgent Care or the ER. The same goes if you experience bowel or bladder problems. Pass on the temptation to lie in bed and do nothing — this inactivity causes muscles to tighten and spasm, creating a vicious cycle of pain. 

7. Plantar Fasciitis 

Your fascia refers to the connective tissue between your muscles. When this tissue becomes inflamed, pain results. Plantar fasciitis occurs on the soles of your feet, and since you need your feet to move you around, you can see the problem. 

You can prevent this disorder by wearing appropriate athletic shoes while working out and replacing them every six months. Do so more often if you also run in addition to lifting weights. See your doctor if home remedies for the condition don’t help. 

Seeing your doctor can prevent small injuries from ballooning into career-ending ones. Follow best practices for safety in the weight room and keep your healthy exercise routine for life!

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