Whether competing at a high school level or in the NBA, basketball can be a pretty demanding sport. Not only are skills in precision and agility required, but one’s body can take a physical beating as well. Constantly running up and down the court can lead to a variety of common basketball injuries. Likewise, quick turns, pivots, and frequent jumping similarly contribute to acute and chronic problems at times. Without proper prevention and care, such injuries can require extensive basketball injury treatments. Thus, knowing how to avoid these injuries and how to speed healing is essential.
When it comes to common basketball injuries, the list is rather extensive. According to studies, about 60% of all basketball injury treatments focus on the lower extremity. Problems related to the arm and torso account for another 28%. In regards to specific injuries, ankle sprains lead the list, representing 13% of all common basketball injuries. Lumbar strains, patellar injuries, and knee problems are also frequent in nature. This injury profile reflects the unique activities and movements specific to the sport. And with the right types of interventions, these issues can be kept to a minimum. With this in mind, the following lists 9 frequent basketball injuries in descending order of their occurrence.
- Ankle Sprains – One of the most common basketball injuries is naturally ankle sprains. With all the jumping up and down, ankle ligaments take a beating. Also, landing awkwardly or on someone else’s foot can cause the ankle to invert. This can strain or even tear lateral ankle ligaments, leading to pain, swelling, and limited movement. Effective basketball treatments for ankle sprains generally involve rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). However, other treatments may also be used subsequently to speed healing and recovery.
- Lumbar Strains – The ankle is not the only area impacted by constant jumping motions. Ligaments in and around the low back area can also be commonly strained, accounting for another one of the common basketball injuries. In most instances, rest and targeted treatments that alleviate muscle spasm and inflammation help. But lumbar injuries can also involve issues with vertebral discs that require other considerations of care. The severity and concurrent findings on workup dictate which common basketball treatments are indicated. Fortunately, most can be managed conservatively with a limited amount of down time.
- Jumper’s Knee – Also known as patellar tendinosis, this injury results from repetitive stress on the ligaments of the lower kneecap. Quick starts and jumping, as its name implies, are usually the triggering movement. In terms of common basketball treatments used for this condition, RICE, taping, strapping, and anti-inflammatories are utilized. More extensive interventions are usually not needed unless overt tears are present. And in most cases, players can return to action within a couple of weeks. Despite being one of the more common basketball injuries, it’s fortunately not one that has lasting effects.
- Achilles Tendonitis – The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the foot. As a result, it is also one of the more common basketball injuries that occur with quick starts. While proper warmup techniques and stretching can prevent this from occurring, it remains a frequent injury. This is because it also tends to develop from overuse even with pregame care. In addition, the tendon can be affected at different sites with insertional areas into the bone being the worst. This determines which of the common basketball treatments is required and the length of recovery needed.
- Knee Ligament Strains and Tears – Another one of the common basketball injuries involving the lower extremity involves the knee. In addition to jumper’s knee, tears and strains of internal ligaments of the knee joint are also frequent. The medical cruciate ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tend to be most common. Strains and tears to these ligaments occur with various twisting, hyperextension, and hyperflexion movements. Basketball injury treatments for different knee injuries vary based on severity with some requiring surgical repair. As such, these can mean the end of a season for some players.
- Shin Splints – Also known as tibial stress syndrome, shin splints involves pain in from of the lower leg area. It is one of the most common basketball injuries resulting from repeated impacts on the hardwood courts. In essence, the main problem is overuse, and therefore, common basketball treatments involving RICE and anti-inflammatories are usually effective. But continued use without care can lead to more enduring pain and discomfort that may take several weeks to heal. In addition to proper footwear, early interventions of care is important.
- Metatarsal Foot Fractures – Particularly for athletes with low foot arches, foot fractures can be among one of the common basketball injuries. Repeated pounding of the foot on the floor can result in small fractures in the bones in the foot. Those just behind the toes, the metatarsal bones, are particularly prone to fractures in some players. And without proper padding and footwear, this can be a problem. Without question, prevention and early care are among the best basketball injury treatments for this condition. Otherwise, players may end up missing a few weeks while the fracture heals.
- Jammed Fingers – Anyone who has ever played basketball for any length of time has probably jammed their finger. Blunt trauma to the tip of the finger when catching the ball can damage the ligaments around the finger joints. This results in immediate pain following by swelling, bruising and limited movement. In most cases, basic basketball injury treatments are effective with a bit of time to heal. And unfortunately, little can be done to prevent these injuries given the nature of the insult.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries – Surrounding the shoulder joint are 4 ligaments that facilitate a rotating motion of the shoulder. These ligaments, known as the rotator cuff, are subject to injury as well given the frequent shooting movements in basketball. Strains and tears are both common basketball injuries involving the rotator cuff. And severity dictates whether conservative or more aggressive care is needed. In both cases, however, interventions that speed healing and recovery can limit the period of time away from the game. These include not only anti-inflammatories and physical therapy but also non-invasive treatments also.
