Young woman playing basketball outdoors

Today, the game of basketball is faster-paced and much more physical than when it was invented in the 1890s. Although these changes make for a pulse-racing, exciting game, they can also predispose players to a variety of injuries.

All told, basketball is associated with more than 1.6 million injuries each year. That doesn’t mean that you or your children can’t enjoy the game, however. Here’s a look at some of the most common types of basketball-related injuries, along with our top five tips for preventing them.

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Stay Safe on the Court: Common Basketball Injuries

Most injuries incurred during basketball are the result of physical contact, either with another player or with the ball itself. Injuries can also result from jumps, falls, and overuse. Common basketball-related injuries include:

  • Sprained ankles – An ankle sprain is the most common type of injury incurred during basketball. This injury usually occurs when one player lands on another player’s foot or the player’s ankle rolls outward. As a result, the ligaments that connect bones and support the ankle become stretched and torn.
  • Cuts and bruises – These usually occur as the result of physical blows or falls.
  • Knee injuries – Knee injuries often involve sprains or tears of the smaller ligaments, as well as the meniscus, the tissue that cushions the end of the bones in the knee joint. The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is a large ligament connecting the upper and lower leg bones and helps hold the knee in place. If you tear your ACL, your knee may give way. ACL tears are among the most severe of basketball injuries.
  • Jammed fingers – When the basketball hits the end of your finger, it can cause pain and swelling.
  • Overuse injuries – Stress fractures (typically in the leg), rotator cuff injuries (in the shoulder), and patellar tendonitis (in the knee) are the consequence of using the same area repeatedly until it is damaged. Osgood-Schlatter disease is another common overuse injury of the knee.

Five Tips to Prevent Basketball Injuries

  1. Stay fit – Adhere to a steady fitness routine during the off-season so that you remain in optimal physical condition even when you’re not playing. It’s also a good idea to have a physical exam by your doctor before the basketball season begins.
  2. Stretch it out – Cold muscles are more prone to injury. Perform a 10- to 15-minute warm-up before playing and stretch your muscles afterward.
  3. Play fair – Use proper technique when passing and scoring. Play only your position, and refrain from pushing, holding, or tripping your opponents.
  4. Check your equipment – Make sure that you are wearing basketball sneakers that fit properly. A mouth guard, elbow and knee pads, and ankle supports can also help keep you safe.
  5. Take a break – You can decrease your risk of overuse injury by taking regular breaks from basketball and engaging in other physical activities.

To learn more or schedule an appointment with UPMC Sports Medicine, please call 1-855-937-7678 or visit our website.

 

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .

About Sports Medicine

An athletic lifestyle carries the potential for injury. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, UPMC Sports Medicine can help. If you are looking to prevent, treat, or rehabilitate a sports injury, our multidisciplinary team of experts can help you get back into the game. If you are seeking to improve your athletic performance, we can work with you to meet your goals. We serve athletes and active people of all ages and experience levels. Our goal is to help you keep doing what you love. Visit our website to find a specialist near you.