Common Basketball Injuries

1. Common Basketball Injuries By: Christina Moore

2. Basketball *Basketball is a game full of contact, meaning many injuries will occur. Injuries in basketball are separated into two different categories; overuse injuries and traumatic injuries.*

3. Overuse Injuries These injuries occur by stressing an area over and over until it is damaged and begins to hurt. Overuse injuries are also known as tendinitis. Tendinitis can be found in many parts of the body.

4. Tendinitis What is it? Sometimes the tendons become inflamed for a variety of reasons, and the action of pulling the muscle becomes irritating. If the normal smooth gliding motion of your tendon is impaired, the tendon will become inflamed and movement will become painful. This is called tendinitis, and means inflammation of the tendon. Causes The most common cause is overuse. The tendon is unaccustomed to the new level of demand, and this overuse will cause an inflammation and tendinitis.

5. Types of Tendinitis Wrist Tendinitis Achilles Tendinitis Patellar (Kneecap) Tendinitis Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Treatment Avoiding aggravating movements and take a break to rest and heal the injury. Icing the area will help control the inflammation and reduce the swelling.

6. Traumatic Injuries These injuries occur from a sudden force or impact and can be quite dramatic. *Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear (ACL) *Wrist Sprains *Finger Fractures *Ankle Sprains *Achilles Tendon Rupture *Muscle Sprains and Strains

7. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear (ACL) *The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments of the knee. *The incidence of ACL injuries is currently estimated at approximately 200,000 annually, with 100,000 ACL reconstructions performed each year. *The ACL runs diagonally in the middle of the knee, preventing the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur as well as providing rotational stability to the knee. *Studies from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) have shown that female athletes injure the ACL more frequently than their male counterparts. *About 40% experience a “popping” sensation at the time. It is actually the ligament tissue tearing.

8. How you tear your ACL *Most ACL tears occur during an athletic activity *Movements of the knee that place a great strain on the ACL *Planting and cutting *Straight-knee landing *One-step-stop landing *Pivoting and sudden deceleration

9. ACL tear rehab *Following surgery, you can be expected to use crutches for one to three weeks. *Early in rehab, emphasis is on the control of swelling, flexibility, and return of strength. *Swimming and cycling are excellent methods in strengthening the muscles around the knee.

10. Ankle Sprains • The most common injury during basketball is spraining your ankle. • Often occurs when a player lands on another players foot or the ankle rolls too far outward. • The ligaments connecting bones and supporting the ankle are stretched and torn. • The ligaments can tear partially or completely.

11. After Injury To treat your sprain, keep it immobilized for a short period of time, keep the joint still, so the ligaments can heal. Begin special exercises to strengthen the muscles that help hold your ankle in place. After you sprain it, your ankle will always be weak and you are more susceptible to re-spraining it. It is recommended to wear ankle braces or tape your ankles.

12. Muscle Strains and Sprains When you overdo it physically, you may experience sudden pain and swelling around a joint or a muscle. The injury you have may be a sprain or a strain. Sprain. A sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to another. Common locations for sprains are your ankles and knees. Strain. A strain is a stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon. People commonly call strains "pulled" muscles. Hamstring and back injuries are among the most common strains.

13. Treatment • For mild sprains and strains, your doctor likely will recommend basic self-care measures and a pain reliever such as ibuprofen. • Cases of a mild or moderate sprain or strain, apply ice to the area as soon as possible to minimize swelling. • Cases of severe sprain or strain, your doctor may immobilize the area with a brace or splint. • In some cases, such as in the case of a torn ligament or ruptured muscle, surgery may be considered.

14. Wrist Sprains When you are about you fall, your instincts tell you to put your hands out to catch your fall. The wrist is then suddenly slammed into the ground and it can cause a common wrist sprain. The ligaments in the wrist are stretched beyond their normal limits.

15. Wrists Treatment Wrist sprains are graded according to the severity of the injury: Grade I: Mild injury, the ligaments are stretched, but no significant tearing has occurred. Grade II: Moderate injury, the ligaments may be partially torn. Grade III: Severe wrist sprain, the ligaments are completely torn, and there may be instability of the joint. • Putting ice packs on your wrist for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours for 2 or 3 days or until the pain goes away. • Wearing a splint or cast on your wrist to prevent further injury. • Doing exercises to help your wrist recover. • While you are recovering from your injury you will need to change your sport or activity to one that does not make your condition worse. For example, you may need to run instead of playing basketball.

16. Finger Fractures A fracture is a break in a bone. When you break your finger the break may be small or large, may be straight or crooked, and may go into the joint. This usually occurs from hitting a hard object, falling or getting hit with the ball.

17. Treatment • If the break is crooked, your trainer will straighten it. Your trainer will decide if your finger should be kept straight or slightly bent. You will need to wear this splint for 3 to 6 weeks, depending on your injury. Some finger fractures don't need to be splinted, they only need to be taped to the finger next to it, known as buddy taping. Fractures that are large, crooked, or go into the joint may need surgery. • Treatment will also include: • Elevating your finger • Putting an ice bag on your injured finger for 20 to 30 minutes. • You will need to start doing finger exercises when your fracture has healed. You may need a follow-up x-ray to see if your finger has healed.

18. Achilles Tendon Rupture Achilles tendon rupture is a severe and disabling injury. A rupture usually takes place a couple of inches above the joining of the tendon and the heel bone. This typically occurs when someone tightens the calf muscle and suddenly pushes off the foot. The injured person experiences pain, swelling, and an inability to stand on their tiptoes.

19. Treatment • Surgery is a common treatment for a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon. The procedure involves making an incision in the back of your lower leg and stitching the torn tendon together. Afterward, you'll need to spend about six to eight weeks with your leg in a walking boot, cast, brace or splint. • After surgery you will go through a rehabilitation program that will help to strengthen your leg muscles and Achilles tendon. Most people return to their normal activity within 4-6 months.

20. Prevention The best way to prevent all types of injuries is to stretch properly before doing a physical activity. And if anything does by chance happen, talk to an athletic trainer right away so the problem does not get worse.

21. Resources http://www.hughston.com/hha/a.basket.htm http://www.yoursportsdoc.com/pages-subsections/si_basketball_1.html http://www.memorialhermann.org/aboutus/sportsmedinjury.html http://www.memorialhermann.org/aboutus/sportsmedbasketball.html http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_wrisspra_sma.htm http://www.beliefnet.com/healthandhealing/images/si55550711_ma.jpg http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achilles-tendon-rupture/DS00160 http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/35/2/103 http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/archive/basketball.php TK