Common Injuries To Watch Out For As A Basketball Player

If you are a basketball player, then you know that every part of your body works hard while you are training and playing. Your shoulders and forearms work as you dribble the ball down the court. Your core supports you as you make that jump-shot, and of course, your legs carry you as you run across the floor. Since basketball requires so much athleticism, it does, of course, put you at risk for certain sports injuries. Here are some of the key injuries you need to watch out for as a basketball player.

Sprained ankles

It's common to twist your ankle as you quickly change direction on the court. Mild sprains and strains can be treated with a few days of RICE therapy—rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If the pain lasts more than a few days or is severe enough to keep you from walking, see a sports medicine doctor. You may have partially torn a ligament or tendon, which will require more extensive treatment such as cortisone injections and physical therapy.

ACL tears

If you ever plant your foot, turn, and hear something in your knee pop, then there is a good chance you tore your ACL. This is a really common injury in basketball players, and it's, unfortunately, a tough one to recover from. While mild tears may eventually heal with conservative therapy, the vast majority need to be surgically repaired. You can expect the recovery to take upwards of several months and include lots of physical therapy.

Stress fractures

Stress fractures are fractures in a bone that are the result of repeated pounding and trauma to that bone. In basketball players, they most often occur in the tibia, or shin bone. If your shin starts aching and developing sharp pains that worsen as you run more, you might have a stress fracture. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis with x-rays. Luckily, the treatment is pretty simple — consider following the standard RICE protocol as well as recommendations from your doctor.

Jammed fingers

Jamming your finger when you reach for the ball or receive a pass is pretty common. A mildly jammed finger may feel better in a day or two if you rest it and apply plenty of ice. If this does not work, see a doctor who may need to set your finger, put you in a splint, and prescribe some pain relievers.

Basketball is a lot of fun, but it can also put you at risk for certain injuries. If you do become injured, seek care sooner, rather than later, for your best chance at recovery. Contact an injury therapy center, such as Town Center Orthopaedic Associates, P.C., for more information.