Most sports injuries are soft tissue injuries. Injuries to the lower limbs are most common, followed by the upper limbs, head and face, and finally the chest and abdomen. The majority are minor and self-limiting; however, serious injuries such as ligament and tendon tears, fractures, spinal and head injuries and damage to viscera do occur.

Paramedics must decide whether the problem must be dealt with in hospital immediately or whether the patient can be left to arrange independently for treatment at hospital or by a general practitioner later in the day. Many injuries do not require medical intervention and can be readily treated with rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE), plus analgesia: