Reviewed and contributions made by Dallas Reynolds, PT, DPT, Cert. DN, COMT and Director of Operations Support – Central Scheduling/Virtual Services
Basketball is a constantly changing game. It requires running forwards and backwards, shuffling the body laterally, jumping and constant starting and stopping. With the close contact between players, the hardcourt surface and its fast, constantly-changing pace, athletes of all levels are at risk for injury.
Common Basketball Injuries
While eye lacerations, concussions, shoulder injuries and others are still possible, basketball players are more susceptible to lower body injury based on the nature of the game.
Below are the five common basketball injuries:
- Ankle sprains
- Achille’s tendonitis
- Knee injuries (e.g., MCL tear, ACL tear, or “Jumper’s Knee”)
- Thigh bruising
- Finger injuries (e.g., jammed finger)
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Common Injuries in Basketball
At ATI, our physical therapists and athletic trainers are dedicated to keeping players safe. Below are five common basketball injuries their causes, symptoms and what to do if they happen to you.
Sprained Ankle from Basketball
Other names: Twisted ankle, rolled ankle
Causes: A sprained ankle occurs when the ankle ligaments are torn or stretched too far because of rolling or turning of the foot.
Symptoms:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty walking
- Instability
Treatment: Typically, a sprained ankle will heal on its own. In the past the use of the (P)RICE method was widely used when it comes to treating an ankle sprain. Recent evidence is moving towards a more active than passive approach, ARITA, or Active Rehab Is The Answer.
Below is a modified version of the PRICE to incorporate more Active Rehab principles
Protection: Using crutches, boot or splint to limit use in more severe cases may be needed, but in most case may not be needed as one thought.
Rest: for the first 24-48 hours you will want to limit your weight bearing physical activities, especially those that will aggravate the area such as running or jumping. During these first few days you will want to continue with unweighted active range of motion movements like gentle ankle pumps.
Ice: Ice your ankle in 15-20-minute increments to reduce swelling if there is a need to keep the swelling under control. It is important to understand that mild to moderate swelling is normal with this kind of injury and is a natural part of the beginning stages of healing. Avoid putting the ice directly on the swollen area. Use a buffer such as a towel between the ice and the skin.
Elevate: Again, mild to moderate swelling is normal, but if swelling needs to be more actively managed you can use pillows to elevate your ankle while you are sitting or lying down. The goal is to have your ankle higher than your heart.
Active: Once the initial swelling and pain has subsided after the first couple days you can continue to work on motion exercises and slowly introduce light weight bearing. This active approach will get you back on the road to recovery.
Achille’s Tendonitis From Basketball
Causes: For basketball players, the constant and quick starts and stops along with repetitive jumping can lead to Achille’s tendonitis. It may also be a result of weak calf muscles or increasing training intensity too quickly, especially at the beginning of the season.
Symptoms:
- Heel and ankle pain
- Tenderness in the back of the leg above the ankle
- Discomfort the day after exercising
- Pain while walking uphill or climbing stairs
- Pain in the morning that improves as the day goes on
Treatment: It is important to treat Achille’s tendonitis so that it does not progress into a more complicated condition such as Achille’s tendinosis or an Achille’s tendon rupture.
It is important to start by modifying your activity level or the types of activities. Achille’s tendonitis, like other forms of tendonitis, are usually brought on through overuse or repetitive stresses to the tissues.
In some instances, you may need to wear a splint at night to keep the tendon stretched. It is recommended as well as invest in supportive shoes, heel lifts or orthotics to take stresses of the tendon.
It is also important to work on stretching the calf muscles as a tight muscle will increase stresses on the tendon. You will also want to begin a progressive strengthen or “tissue loading” program. This will help your body adapt to high demands on the muscles and tendons.
Basketball Knee Injuries
Causes: Repetitive motions, such as running and jumping, can make basketball players more susceptible to stress-related or overuse knee injuries. In addition, quick changes in movements coupled with the hard-court surface make players susceptible to falls.
Symptoms: Basketball players are vulnerable to several types of knee injuries. Symptoms will vary based on your specific condition.
- Patellar Tendonitis aka “Jumper’s Knee”: Pain from the front of the kneecap moving downward towards the shin.
- Knee Sprain:
- ACL: Many patients report hearing a “pop” or feel their knee “give out”. Pain follows thereafter.
- PCL: Although less common, patients hear a similar “popping” noise, which is then accompanied by pain, swelling and knee instability in the back of the knee.
- •Meniscal Tears: Knee pain, swelling and inability to straighten your leg.
Treatment: Like the causes and the symptoms, treatment will vary depending on the injury. Moderate forms of treatment are similar to ankle sprains. In these instances, athletes are encouraged to use the modernized ARITA method with any acute knee injury.
The injured party may also want to wear a compression sleeve or knee brace for added protection. Once knee pain has subsided, strengthening exercises are recommended for the quadriceps, hips and overall body conditioning.
In cases like an ACL, PCL or even meniscal tear, surgery may be necessary. Your physician will help you determine whether surgery is needed depending on the severity of the injury.
Deep Thigh Bruising in Basketball
Causes: A deep thigh bruise/contusion occurs because of contact between an elbow, knee or other form of impact on the thigh.
Symptoms: Discoloration, tenderness/pain where the bruise is and in the surrounding soft tissues. Depending on the severity, the athlete may also experience difficulty walking.
Treatment: It is important to use the RICE method for a deep thigh contusion. When icing the injury, athletes are encouraged to either sit up or lay down with their afflicted leg bent at the knee and the heel as close to the buttock as possible. Once in this position, ice the area for 15-20 minutes. Repeat every hour.
Once the afflicted leg becomes easier to move, it is important to exercise to remove the fluid from the leg. An exercise bike is a low-impact way to begin movement before working up to bodyweight exercises, such as squats, step ups, lunges, etc.
Basketball Finger Injuries
Causes: One common finger injury is a “jammed finger.” A player may experience a jammed finger when the ball meets the top of the finger suddenly. When this happens, the finger becomes stuck in one of its joints.
Symptoms: Pain and swelling in the afflicted finger.
Treatment: Typically, ice and tape are used on a jammed finger. It is common to tape the hurt finger with a neighboring one to protect it while it heals. Ice is also used to manage excessive swelling. It is also recommended to take time throughout the day to work range of motion exercises to maintain your mobility while you heal.
Athletic Training and Physical Therapy for Basketball Players
Injuries happen, but that doesn’t mean you have to take yourself out of the game for long. Working with an athletic trainer or a physical therapist can help you recover faster. It can also help you build strength, flexibility and mobility post-injury. Looking for help off the court? Find assistance at any one of our 900+ clinics and talk to a physical therapist or athletic trainer today.