A bone is considered broken when there is an interruption in the continuous flow of the tissue. This usually occurs because of a direct impact from an external source but can also occur from violent muscle contractions or repetitive abnormal use.

Bursa are fluid-filled sacs found in places where friction might occur. These bursae are mostly found between bony prominences and muscles or tendons and offer protection.

Having a plan in place to deal with an injured athlete is important to making sure the response to such an injury is both quick and effective. Such a plan should be discussed and practiced with a small group of volunteers i.e. parents, but not coaches or athletes.

Tendons are tissues which connect a muscle onto a bone. They are very strong, but don't stretch much. When they become damaged, tendons can take a long time to heal.

Having the right equipment easily accessible to deal with a sport injury is crucial to being able to deal with the situation effectively. Every sport is different and will have different requirements. Below is a list of things you should consider having in your sport first aid kit.

A bunion (Hallux Valgus) is a disfigurement of the big toe. The most common cause is shoes that don't fit properly e.g. high heel shoes.

Blisters happen when there sufficient rubbing of the skin and the skin becomes irritated, hot, and chaffed. If severe enough, blisters can lead to an open wound, bleeding, infection, and much discomfort.

A stress fracture is when a bone becomes damaged by overuse. This can happen when an athlete increases intensity or distance of an activity, changes from a soft surface to a hard one, or has improper form.

Also known as heel spur, plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the sole of the foot which can be painful.

Caution must be used before putting an athlete back into the game. It's important to realize that sometimes a lot of pressure may exist to get the athlete back in the game. This pressure may come from parents who want to see their son/daughter play, from other athletes, from the coach, or even from the player themselves. But if a proper evaluation isn't performed the athlete may end up with even more severe injuries.

Although sports are sometimes unpredictable, most injuries can be, and should be, prevented. After all, no athlete wants to be side-lined because of an injury.