Top 5 Basketball Injuries and Treatments

It is not uncommon to suffer an injury when you play basketball. Whether it is a serious or minor injury, basketball injuries are rather common. You do not have to be a professional athlete or even play in a league to suffer a basketball injury.

Basketball is a very active sport with lots of running and jumping. It doesn’t take much to suffer an injury. A leg twisting the wrong way, overuse, or even falling wrong can cause one of the common basketball injuries.

While you can do some things to help prevent injuries, sometimes, they happen. Let’s look at the most common basketball injuries and treatments.

5 Common Basketball Injuries & Treatments

1. Ankle Injuries

Probably the most common of basketball injuries is an injury to your ankle. Sprains are very common and happen when the ankle joint is twisted, turned, or rolled the wrong way. When this happens the soft tissue tears and stretches causing pain and inflammation.

Sprained ankles are often treated with rest and ice. However, if this type of injury becomes serious, it may require surgery or a more serious treatment. Typically, a little bit of physical therapy can get you back on the court if you suffer from a sprained ankle.

2. Knee Injuries

For the same reason, ankle injuries are common, knee injuries are also common. Basketball includes a lot of twisting, turning, and stress on the knee joints. You might suffer from jumper’s knee, an ACL tear, Patellar Tendonitis, or another type of knee injury.

Serious knee injuries will likely require surgery to repair the damage. ACL reconstructions are common, but not all knee injuries will require surgery. It is also common to need physical therapy to fully recover.

3. Jammed Fingers

Another very common basketball injury is suffering a jammed finger. This type of injury happens when blocking shots, receiving a pass, getting a rebound, or even when dunking.

Typically, a jammed finger is not a very serious injury, but it can be painful. It will likely swell up and can make it harder to bend your finger. Usually, this basketball injury can be treated with rest and ice. In some cases, you might need a more serious treatment.

4. Thigh and Hip Injuries

Basketball comes with a lot of sharp movement, which can lead to thigh and hip injuries. These injuries can be minor, such as hip bruises, or more serious, such as hip strains. You might suffer a deep thigh bruise that comes with pain but will not require major treatment.

Most thigh and hip injuries can be treated with the RICE technique. However, serious hip injuries, such as a hip fracture or a labral tear will likely require a more serious treatment.

5. Wrist and Hand Injuries

Basketball injuries come in a variety of types. You might suffer a wrist or a hand injury if you play basketball. This can be rather common when you fall wrong or even just from shooting, passing, and normal play.

While jammed fingers are common, so are jammed wrists. It’s also rather common for basketball players to suffer wrist strains or broken bones in the wrist or hand. Minor injuries can be treated with the RICE technique, while more serious injuries may require surgery.

Most basketball injuries will be minor and can be treated with the RICE technique and physical therapy. However, if you suffer from a serious basketball injury, you might need the help of an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon.