The 4 Most Common Basketball Injuries that Athletes Suffer

Have you ever experienced any of these?

According to a 17-year study by the american orthopaedic society for sports medicine (aossm), basketball athletes can suffer an average of anywhere from 6-14 injuries for every 1000 hours of the game they play.

Needless to say, as we witness with our favourite NBA players on a regular basis, injuries happen - and they happen often. But, there are four types of basketball injuries that tend to be the most common among athletes.

Let’s talk a bit about each injury below, including how you can best prevent and treat it:

1. Injuries of the ankle (ankle sprain)

When the ankle is turned, twisted or rolled abnormally, this can damage ligaments and result in a painful ankle sprain. The pain of an ankle injury is generally accompanied by swelling, stiffness and a limited range of motion. Depending on how severe the ankle sprain inquiry is, it can take anywhere from a few days to several months months for full recovery.

When treating an ankle injury, it is recommended to follow the R.I.C.E protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) in mild cases, and in more severe cases, it is best to seek the advice of an orthopaedic foot/ankle specialist, which will often involve physical therapy until full recovery is achieved.

For injuries concerning the ankle, legs, shoulder, back, knee, or wrist, Game Changers Sports Recovery’s Game Ready Therapy Machine works by using compression in conjunction with cold therapy to help reduce swelling and inflammation while increasing blood circulation in the body for efficient healing. Learn about the Game Ready system and BioFlex treatment.

2. Injuries of the thigh (deep thigh bruise)

Deep thigh bruise (or contusion) injuries usually occur when a player’s thigh muscles are accidentally hit by an elbow or knee. These very common basketball injuries typically take about 4-8 weeks to recover, depending on how severe they are.

When treating a thigh injury, it is also recommended to practice the R.I.C.E protocol before returning to full activity levels. To help athletes recover most efficiently, rehabilitative treatments like the BioFlex or Theralight 360 Laser Bed treatment, also from Game Changers Sports Recovery, fosters complete cell rejuvenation of the entire body while also woking to increase circulation, improve muscle performance, boost energy levels and aid in quality sleep. Learn about the Theralight 360.

3. Injuries of the knee

Knee injuries tend to be quite common in the game of basketball. They can range in severity, from general joint pain to more severe injuries like torn or fractured ligaments, such as ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears that are capable of keeping athletes off the courts for as much as a year or longer. Patellofemoral pain syndrome, which involves pain experienced behind the kneecap, is one of the more common knee injuries suffered by basketball players.

When treating a knee injury, more minor joint pain can generally be treated using the R.I.C.E protocol, with more severe injuries requiring the attention of an orthopaedic knee specialist. Sometimes, surgery may be necessary followed by physical therapy in order to restore strength and achieve a full recovery.

With that said, another excellent rehabilitative option for the modern athlete is Game Changers Sports Recovery’s Rapid Reboots treatment, typically used on the legs, arms and hips. The Rapid Reboots work to promote blood flow and restore health and vitality to the muscles, speeding up the process of recovery. Learn about the Rapid Reboots Treatment and the BioFlex Laser.

4. Injuries of the hand (particularly jammed fingers)

A very common injury in basketball, a jammed finger occurs when the ball abruptly collides with the tip of the finger as opposed to landing properly in the palm of the hand, jamming it into one of its joints and leading to pain and swelling. Fortunately, recovery time for a jammed finger injury is usually minimal.

When treating a jammed finger, it is recommended to ice the finger for relief, followed by the application of “buddy tape” to align the injured finger with an adjacent finger to help protect the vulnerable phalange while it heals. The BioFlex Laser can be applied to the specific area of the body requiring relief.

In basketball, injury prevention and treatment should always be taken seriously.

Basketball injuries will happen - it’s just the nature of the game. But the steps that athletes take to prevent and treat these injuries will always be of critical importance.

 

You may also be interested in:
Some of the Utmost Worst Basketball Injuries in NBA History

 

Follow @CBN_News on Instagram