While some players choose to ignore any minor injuries and “play through the pain,” it’s better to stay in-tune with your body and pay attention to the warning signs so that you can start treating injuries before they become more severe. Ignoring the warning signs might keep you on the field a little while longer now, but you could pay the price later on. Injuries that you ignore now might completely end your sports career later on down the road, so here are a few warning signs to be aware of.

Swelling- If an area is swollen, it’s a definitive sign of injury. Ice it down and get it checked out right away. If you ignore it, you could wind up with joint or tendon damage.

Joint pain- Joints are the areas that are most frequently involved in major sports injuries, particularly the knees, shoulders, ankles, and wrists. If you have joint pain that persists for more than 48 hours, seek medical attention

Numbness or Tingling- These can indicate nerve damage and can be a sign of serious injury, so get them checked out immediately

Tenderness- If an area feels particularly soft or tender to the touch, it could be a sprain, a pulled muscle, or a more serious problem

Decreased Range of Motion- Joint injuries can suddenly limit your range of motion and can indicate injury or internal swelling of the joint. Compare the damaged joint with the healthy joint on the opposite side of the body. If your motion is seriously limited, it may need medical attention.

Weakness- This is an obvious indicator of injury. If you are having trouble with motions or exercises that you normally perform with little difficulty, you may have a problem. Compare the weak area of the body with the opposite side or have a coach or therapist check your comparative weakness.