[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/04\/common-basketball-injuries\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/04\/common-basketball-injuries\/","headline":"How to Prevent These Common Basketball Injuries","name":"How to Prevent These Common Basketball Injuries","description":"Learn about common basketball injuries, including ankle sprains, Achilles tendonitis, patellar tendonitis, muscle strains, ACL tears, and finger injuries.","datePublished":"2016-04-01","dateModified":"2019-12-11","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Basketball-injuries.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Basketball-injuries.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/04\/common-basketball-injuries\/","about":["Orthopaedics","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":967,"keywords":["back to school","basketball","basketball injuries","common basketball injuries","common injuries","common knee injury","Finger Injuries","Patellar Tendonitis","sports-related injuries","strain"],"articleBody":"Basketball players are no stranger to injury. After all, the game is extremely physical. There\u2019s the short, quick bursts down the court. All the sudden stops and starts. And people jumping, swatting, and shoving, doing anything they can do get the ball. With all that, there\u2019s bound to be some sprains and strains.So, if you\u2019re planning to play hoops at the local court, or your son or daughter is involved in a recreational league, be aware of the most common basketball injuries and how to treat them.Similar to professional and college basketball players, high school and recreational athletes are subject to various injuries because the sport involves:Short, intermittent bursts of activityQuick stops and startsPhysical contactSo, if you’re planning to play hoops, be aware of the most common injuries and how to treat them.Common Basketball InjuriesAnkle sprains in basketballWhen the foot is forcibly rolled inward or outward, ligaments that hold the ankle in place can overstretch or tear, resulting in an ankle sprain.Ankle Sprain SymptomsAnkle Sprain TreatmentPain on the overstretched portion of the ankleSwellingBruisingTendernessWarmth to the touchRestIceCompressionElevation (for the first 24 to 48 hours post-injury)RELATED:\u00a0How to Wrap an Ankle or Wrist SprainAchilles tendonitis in basketball playersAchilles tendonitis is a common overuse injury in basketball, due to the forces placed on the tendon from jumping and landing.The Achilles tendon is the fibrous structure that attaches the calf muscle to the heel of your foot. It allows the calf muscle to pull your heel off the ground and push forward while walking or running.Achilles tendonitis occurs when you don’t stretch your calf muscles properly.Achilles Tendonitis SymptomsAchilles Tendonitis TreatmentA dull ache or pain in the back of the leg, just below the calf musclePain that increases after activitySome diffuse swellingRestIceNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofenOrthoticsTaping to prevent further damageRehabilitationSever’s disease is another basketball injury related to the Achilles tendon, where it begins to tear away from the heel. This type of injury is most prevalent in young basketball players.Patellar tendonitis in basketball playersPatellar tendonitis is a common overuse injury in basketball that affects the tendon connecting the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone.The patellar tendon, along with the quadriceps muscle and tendon, provides the strength for straightening out the knee.Patellar tendonitis occurs when repeated stress is placed on the patellar tendon. The stress results in tiny tears in the tendon, which the body attempts to repair.But, as the tears in the tendon become more numerous, the body can’t keep up, causing the inflammation in the tendon to worsen.Patellar Tendonitis SymptomsPatellar Tendonitis TreatmentPain directly over the patellar tendonPain with activities, especially jumping or kneelingRestNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofenStretching of the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf musclesIce treatmentsUse of support straps or bracesMuscle strains in basketball playersMuscle strains, or muscle pulls, occur when an athlete stretches the muscle beyond its normal limit, or when a load is placed on the muscle and it is not strong enough to counteract. This results in a strain or tear of the muscle fibers.A muscle strain can occur in any muscle, and can result from physical activity without proper stretches and warm-ups beforehand.Muscle Strain SymptomsMuscle Strain TreatmentSharp pain in the muscleA popping or snapping soundTenderness to the touchSwellingDiscolorationRestIceCompressionElevationNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen, if necessary\u00a0Muscle strains are diagnosed by:Obtaining a thorough history of the injuryPalpation of the affected area\u00a0to detect pain and defects in the muscleStrength and flexibility testingAn MRI (on more serious strains) to determine the extent of the tearACL tears from basketballThe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the primary restraint that limits how far the shin bone (tibia) slides forward in relation to the thigh bone (femur). When the ACL tears and that restraint no longer exists, the knee becomes unstable and may unpredictably buckle or give way.A common knee injury in basketball, the ACL may suddenly tear without warning when an individual:DeceleratesCuts to the sideLands awkwardlyACL Tear SymptomsACL Tear TreatmentAn audible “pop” at the moment of injuryThe slippage of the knee out of its jointSevere swellingPainful movementTreatment may be surgical or non-surgical, depending on your desired lifestyle. The question is not so much your level of activity in the past, but the expectations for the future.Surgical: If your goal is to continue an active lifestyle, ACL reconstruction surgery may be the treatment of choice, due to the fact that a torn ACL does not heal.Non-surgical:Therapy consists of a period of protective bracing, with progressive return to the range of motion and muscle-strengthening exercises. The goal is to create natural stability for the knee by developing the quadriceps and hamstring muscles.Finger injuries from basketballFinger injuries range from simple cuts to bone, tendon, or ligament damage. X-rays may be taken to confirm a fracture.If not properly treated, finger injuries can lead to deformity and permanent loss of function.Finger Injury SymptomsFinger Injury TreatmentPain over the injury siteInability to move the fingerBruisingSwellingDeformityFor non-serious injuries, “buddy tapping” and\/or splinting for everyday activitiesFor some finger injuries, surgical repair of the tendons to restore functionFor athletes who have experienced sports-related injuries, UPMC Sports Medicine‘s orthopaedic surgeons, board-certified athletic trainers, and physical therapists will help to speed recovery and restore function. Call 1-855-93-SPORT (77678) to schedule an appointment or visit our website."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Prevent These Common Basketball Injuries","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/04\/common-basketball-injuries\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]