Basketball can be a fast-paced, high-scoring sport. As such, it’s also physically demanding. Injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, no matter the level of competition. However, there are preventative measures that can reduce the risk of certain sports injuries.
5 Injuries to Watch Out for When Playing Basketball
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Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain is one of the most common basketball injuries. Players put a lot of pressure on their ankles during a game. Landing on an opponent’s foot is a common cause of ankle sprains. Quick changes in direction of motion during the game can also lead to sprains. Proper footwear is key to prevention. Be sure to wear indoor basketball shoes on the court. If you are prone to injury, taping and bracing can provide additional support.
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Jumper’s Knee
Jumper’s knee Is an overuse injury that comes from repeated jumping. This puts a lot of pressure on the knees, especially the patellar tendon that connects the kneecap to the lower leg. Sprinting up and down the court also adds stress and can cause inflammation in this tendon. Stretching before a game or practice will loosen up the tendons and joints to ease pressure on the knees. Remember to gradually increase in frequency and intensity of basketball workouts to decrease the risk of overuse. Strengthening the surrounding muscles is another key to prevention.
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Knee Ligaments
Knees take a beating in basketball, notably the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). MCL and ACL injuries can be a sprain or tear. Stretching can limit these ligament injuries by keeping you flexible. Strengthen the muscles of your hips, thighs, calves and core. Work on balance training, jump and landing exercises to prevent these injuries as well.
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Stress Fractures
Stress fractures of the feet or lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) can develop over time from overuse and repetitive jumping. These injuries will often present as pain or swelling. Remember to gradually increase training and impact to minimize risk of stress fractures. Always wear proper footwear. Muscle strengthening of the lower extremities is important as well. Prevention includes getting enough calcium and vitamin D to keep your bones strong.
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Achilles Tendon
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. An Achilles injury can develop with overuse and repetitive stress. A complete rupture of the tendon is painful and can feel like you have been kicked in the back of the leg. You may hear or feel a pop. Stretching the calf muscles can help prevent injury. Strengthening calf muscles is also important for prevention. Be aware of any posterior heel pain as a sign of possible tendinitis which can occur before the actual rupture and see an orthopedic doctor if you have posterior heel pain. As always, start your training slowly and gradually increase to prevent injury
For professional treatment of sports injuries, turn to Advanced Orthopaedic Associates, serving Bergen, Passaic, and Morris counties in New Jersey. They have over 25 years of experience and a team of highly-trained orthopedic doctors that treats patients with a range of ailments, including rotator cuff injuries, arthritis, back pain, and knee pain.
