Beachealth

The Toronto Raptors are in the NBA playoff finals for the first time in History and what an exciting time it is to be in the city of Toronto. With a current 2-1 lead, a championship certainly favours the Raptors. With certain key players like Thompson and Durant out with Injury, it has certainly made the Raptors job easier. Pivotal moments like this, where injury is a huge factor, it brings on a great topic of discussion – INJURY.

 

What makes basketball players susceptible to injury?

In basketball, there are a lot of quick pivoting moments such as jumping, running, cutting. You have people going in different directions at all speeds, playing offense and defense. Athletes today are stronger and more powerful with more explosive force than ever before, thanks to sports nutrition, sports performance and conditioning.

What can players do to prevent injury?

Maintain a good balanced workout, stretch daily and strengthen your core muscles. Flexibility is extremely important, but it’s not as much of a focus for young athletes. As you get older, flexibility becomes important to help limit injuries on the basketball court.

What are the most common injuries in Basketball?

  1. Foot and ankle injuries

Lateral ankle sprains are the most common injury in Basketball. With the quick movements, lots of jumping and especially big feet in some players, some injuries are bound to happen. You may see a player jump and land on another players foot, causing their foot and ankle land awkwardly, resulting in a sprain.

High ankle sprains, an injury to the ligaments between the two lower leg bones (tibia and fibula), can be more of a serious injury and sometimes require surgery to reestablish the relationships between the bones.

With a sprain, follow RICE: Rest – Ice – Compression – Elevation. A lot of these injuries don’t need surgery, but if you can’t put weight on it, get an X-ray to rule out a fracture.

  1. Hip and thigh injuries

An injury to the hips, such as a strained hip flexor, can result from quick pivoting movements. Getting a knee from another playing into the thigh can cause bruising and possible contusions. This may seem like no big deal, but it can be painful and keep you out of the game. For this, ice it for the first 24-48 hours, then switch to heat and stretching so the thigh doesn’t get too tight.

  1. Knee injuries

Basketball requires extensive stop and go and cutting maneuvers which can put the ligaments and menisci of the knee at risk. Injury to the medial collateral ligament is most common following a blow to the outside of the knee and can be often be treated with ice, bracing and a gradual return to activity.

An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament is a more serious injury and can occur with an abrupt change in direction and landing for the jump. Although this ligament tear is most commonly a season ending injury that requires corrective surgery, current techniques used to repair the ACL ligament generally allow the player to return to play the following season.

  1. Wrist and hand injuries

From jammed fingers to sprained, dislocated or fractured fingers, these injuries are very common among basketball players. The ball can hit it your hand or fingers at a fast speed and can cause a significant sprain or break. Sprained wrists can occur if a player falls and puts his hand down to protect himself.

  1. Head and face injuries

Concussions, bloody lips, and other head injuries are usually the result of getting elbowed accidentally or coming down from a layup and getting hit in the head. It’s common when a player is rebounding or fighting for position.

For concussion, players should always get out of the game and have an evaluation by a medical health professional that regularly manages concussions.

 

For an assessment, treatment and management of your Basketball Injuries our osteopaths, massage therapist and chiropodist at Beach Integrated Health Clinic can help you get back on the court. Feel free to contact us directly with any further questions on (416) 546 4887 or  book an online appointment.