At Dynamic Health, we know that sports and athletics are an integral part of American culture. From an early age, millions of children become involved in youth leagues for a variety of sports, including soccer, baseball and football. Basketball, however, is perhaps the most popular sport in the United States, with millions of people participating in the sport at all levels of competition.
Here in North Carolina, we have a long and rich basketball history. Our NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, are back and the buzz is bigger than ever, while college teams like the North Carolina Tar Heels, Duke Blue Devils, and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons continue to garner huge followings in the NCAA.
Whether you’re a high school or collegiate athlete, a semi-pro or professional player, or just an enthusiast who competes in recreation leagues, injury is still a common problem. Basketball injuries, and sports injuries in general, can be separated into two categories: overuse injuries and traumatic injuries.
Overuse Injuries
Injuries caused by stressing an area over and over until it is damaged and begins to hurt are described as overuse injuries. One such injury is patellar tendinitis, or “jumper’s knee,” which is characterized by pain in the tendon just below the kneecap.
Achilles tendinitis is another common overuse injury in basketball players. This injury of the tendon connecting the muscles in the back of the calf to the heel bone causes pain in the back of the leg just above the heel.
Not all basketball overuse injuries involve the legs. Some basketball players overuse the tendons in their shoulders. The rotator cuff of the shoulder is composed of four muscles. The tendons that attach these muscles to the shoulder bones can become inflamed and painful, particularly when you performing repetitive overhead activities, such as shooting or passing the basketball.
Traumatic Injuries
Traumatic injuries are those caused by a sudden forceful injury. Some of the more common traumatic injuries in basketball are jammed fingers. The severity of a jammed finger can range from a minor injury of the ligaments, which connect bones, to a broken finger. Another type of traumatic injury is a muscle pull or tear. In basketball players, these injuries occur primarily in the large muscles of the legs. To prevent them, stretch your thighs and calves well and do warm-up exercises before playing.
Ankle Sprains and Knee Injuries
The most common basketball injury is an ankle sprain. This injury often occurs when a player lands on another player’s foot or the ankle rolls too far outward. When this happens, the ligaments connecting bones and supporting the ankle are stretched and torn. The ligaments can tear partially or completely. To treat your sprain, your provider will prescribe a short period of immobilization, keeping the joint still, so the ligaments can heal. After immobilization, you will begin special exercises to strengthen the muscles that help hold your ankle in place.
Knee injuries are some of the most serious basketball injuries. A knee sprain is a small tear in the ligaments or joint capsule that is not severe enough to cause your knee to give way. To help the tear heal, you must protect your knee for a short time by immobilizing it. After the tear heals, your provider will prescribe stretching and strengthening exercises for the muscles that help hold the knee in place.
Sports Injuries and Treatments
At Dynamic Health, we provide the same level of sports performance services for the recreational and the elite athlete alike. If you are suffering from sports injuries or sports-related aches and pains, Dynamic Health & Pain Management provides sports performance treatments and programs.
We offer new client appointments within one to three days, and we are one of the only pain management clinics to provide imaging-guided injections without a long wait.
Call Dynamic Health at 704-525-6288 to schedule a consultation! Be sure to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for all the latest in health, wellness and pain management news!
Source: The Hughston Clinic