Basketball games are more fast-paced and physical today than when the game was invented in the 1890s. Although these changes make for an exciting game, they can also predispose players to many injuries.
It’s no wonder that basketball, with its short, quick bursts of activity down the court; sudden stops and starts; and jumping, swatting, and shoving lead to more than a million injuries each year.
Here are some of the most common basketball-related injuries and tips to help prevent and treat them.
What Are the Most Common Basketball Injuries?
Most basketball injuries stem from physical contact with another player, the floor, or the ball. Falls are also a regular part of the game, thanks to constant on-court collisions.
Overuse injuries are common in basketball. Even players in elementary school compete in multiple games a week, plus practices. At higher levels, players train year-round, putting constant pressure on their joints and tendons.
“Some of the more common injuries seen during basketball season are ankle sprains and ACL injuries. Less common are MCL sprains, meniscal injuries, and shoulder injuries,” says Brian Still, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at UPMC Sports Medicine in Erie, Pa.
Learn more about common basketball-related injuries and how to prevent them.
Achilles tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is a common overuse injury in basketball. 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 causes
- Inadequate stretching — Not taking the time to stretch your calf muscles before playing can lead to tendonitis.
- Repeated jumping and landing — The force basketball players put on their Achilles while jumping and landing can result in tendonitis over time.
Achilles tendonitis symptoms
- Dull ache or pain in the back of the leg, just below the calf muscle. Pain increases after activity.
- Some diffuse swelling.
Achilles tendonitis treatments
- Employ the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).
- Use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen.
- Orthotics, like braces and wrapping.
Ankle sprains
An ankle sprain is the most common basketball injury. It happens when the ankle rolls, turns, or twists beyond its normal motion. The ligaments (elastic-like fibers) that surround the ankle joint become injured.
Sprains that tear the ligaments rather than stretch them are more severe. Significant bruising around the joint and into the foot may be a sign of torn ligaments.
Ankle sprain causes
Ankle sprains often occur when one player lands on another player’s foot, rolling the ankle outward.
Ankle sprain symptoms
- Bruising.
- Pain on the overstretched portion of the ankle.
- Swelling.
- Tenderness.
- Warmth to the touch.
Ankle sprain treatments
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen.
- Employ the RICE method.
- Rehabilitation.
Anterior cruciate ligament injury
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries, also called ACL tears, are among the most severe basketball injuries. The ACL limits how far the shin bone (tibia) slides forward about the thigh bone (femur). When the ACL tears, the knee becomes unstable and may buckle or give way.
ACL injury causes
The ACL may tear when a basketball player suddenly cuts to the side, decelerates, or lands awkwardly.
ACL injury symptoms
- Audible “pop” at the moment of injury when the knee slips out of the joint.
- Pain.
- Severe swelling.
ACL injury treatment
Treatment of an ACL injury depends on the severity. For less severe injuries, the RICE method and over-the-counter pain relievers can help. A severe sprain may require a knee brace or crutches until you recover.
A complete ACL tear will not heal without surgery. Surgeons can’t stitch together most ACL tears, so they typically use a graft part of a tendon into the joint to rebuild the ligament.
Whether you get ACL surgery depends on the activity level you need to return to. Athletes typically need surgery to return to their sport. People with a lower activity level may not need surgery.
“UPMC Sports Medicine offers services ranging from physical exams to advanced imaging in cases where an injury is suspected,” says Dr. Still. “If an injury has occurred, we have specialists in physical therapy and rehabilitation, as well as surgeons trained specifically to treat sports-related injuries.”
“Our team of providers is well equipped to treat just about any injury with a wide range of modalities based on the athlete’s needs,” says Dr. Still. “Our service is streamlined to minimize the time between injury and returning to the court.”
Cuts and bruises
Cuts and bruises usually occur as the result of physical blows or falls. An errant elbow to the face can cause a black eye or bloody nose; rest and ice help. Occasionally, a player needs stitches, and deep bruising can require more healing time.
Finger injuries
Finger injuries range from simple cuts to bone, tendon, or ligament damage. You may need to get X-rays to confirm a fracture. Untreated finger injuries can lead to deformity and permanent loss of function.
Finger injury symptoms
- Bruising.
- Deformity.
- Inability to move the finger.
- Pain.
- Swelling.
Finger injury treatments
Finger injury treatments include taping and splinting. More serious damage to tendons can require surgery to restore function.
Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)
Patellar tendonitis is a common overuse injury in basketball. It affects the tendon connecting the kneecap (patella) to the shin bone. The patellar tendon, quadriceps muscle, and quadriceps tendon work together to straighten out the knee.
Patellar tendonitis occurs when you place repeated stress on the patellar tendon. The stress results in tiny tears in the tendon, which the body attempts to repair. As you get more tears in the tendon, the body can’t keep up, causing worsening swelling.
5 Tips to Prevent Basketball Injuries
“Injury prevention is the best way to stay in the game, so make it a critical part of your practice routine,” says Dr. Still.” If you do sustain an injury, our providers can be of assistance. In most cases, ask your athletic trainer what you need to do to be seen, and we will do our best to get you back in the game.”
But the best treatment is always prevention. Follow these five tips to help you prevent basketball injuries before they happen.
Stay fit
Adhere to a steady fitness routine during the off-season to keep fit even when you’re not playing. Dr. Still suggests balance training and plyometrics to improve explosiveness and proprioception (body awareness in space.)
It’s also a good idea to have a physical exam by your doctor before the basketball season begins.
Stretch
Cold muscles are more prone to injury. Before playing, perform a 10- to 15-minute warm-up. Stretch your muscles after playing.
Play fair
Use proper technique when passing and scoring. Play only your position, and refrain from pushing, holding, or tripping your opponents.
Check your equipment
Wear basketball shoes that fit properly. A mouth guard, elbow and knee pads, and ankle supports can also help keep you safe. You can also tape or brace the joints at risk for injury. This can also provide support while rehabbing a current injury.
Take a break
You can lower your risk of overuse injury by taking regular breaks from basketball. Make sure to engage in other physical activities.
Practicing proper mechanics while jumping, shooting, cutting, and pivoting is one of the best steps in injury prevention. But when you’re exhausted, your mechanics may get sloppy, raising the risk of an injury.
When to Visit the Doctor
“Any time an athlete is injured to the degree that they are unable to participate in their sport, it is wise to have that injury evaluated. If an athlete is able to participate but has lingering symptoms that worsen or return with participation, it is also a good idea to be evaluated by a specialist,” says Dr. Still.
“Other concerning signs and symptoms would include severe pain, bruising, clicking or popping sounds, instability, or limited range of motion. As a student-athlete, it’s important to listen to your body and pay attention to warning signs. If in doubt, it’s always safer to err on the side of caution and get checked out by a health care professional.”
To learn more or schedule an appointment with UPMC Sports Medicine in Erie, call 814-877-6195 or visit our website.
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Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .