Wrestlers always prepared to hit the mat...literally

The wrestling you see in high school gyms, college fieldhouses, and on the international stage may be no WWF, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot to see. Wrestlers train long hours — avoiding, enduring, and recovering from countless injuries as they continually bear the weight of another person on them. From tears to strains to infections, these wrestlers must overcome injuries and perform at a top level to even qualify a spot on the international level.

Let’s meet our ATI Injury Analyst, Lee McComb. Lee, a rehab tech at our Carol Stream, IL, clinic, wrestled for eight years and spent a lot of time on and off the mat observing injuries. He dropped by to share some common injuries with us…

What types of injuries are common…

• Shoulder: Because wrestlers are constantly using their shoulders for leverage and for twisting during a match, shoulder injuries are common. Lee says that wrestlers may experience shoulder injuries when posting their hands to the mat while being taken down or when fighting to keep their shoulders off the mat to avoid a pin.
• Meniscal tears: Wrestlers are susceptible to knee tears, as they’ll twist their knee while their leg is planted.
• Treatment: Depending on the location and size of the tear, treatment can range from a simple R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) to surgery.
• Sprains, strains, and dislocations: With all of the falls and twists, wrestlers are susceptible to various sprains, strains, and dislocations from the neck to elbow to wrist to ankle.
• Broken collarbone: Lee says that if wrestlers don’t know how to safely return to the mat after a takedown, they risk breaking their collarbone.

Prevention...

• Treat it right away: With wrestlers, a minor cut or scrape could keep them out of competition because of the possibility of infection. No matter what the injury, wrestlers are encouraged to get injuries treated right away.
• Wear quality gear: Before hitting the mat, wrestlers should put on headgear and pads to help prevent injuries, as well as wear proper attire.
• Practice proper technique: As Lee says, wrestlers must know the proper ways to fall and hit the map to help avoid any injury. Adhere to a regular strengthening program: Wrestlers must have an enormous amount of muscles to stay competitive. A strength training program can help them not only enhance their performance but build their muscles to help protect them from injury.