Basketball

Basketball may not seem like a dangerous sport. During the game many injuries can happen. There is an estimate of 1.6 million injuries associated to basketball each year. Injuries such as sprained ankles, knee injuries, and stress fractures.

Sprained ankles can be a result of stepping on an opens foot and twisting your ankle or just landing on your foot wrong. Players that receive ankle sprains will most likely be out for at least a week. This injury can be treated by RICE. Rest, ice compression, and elevation.

Knees injuries can be brutal. They can be the determinant of whether you play another season or you retire. Knee injuries are caused by the constantly stopping and going in basketball. One of the two most common knee injuries is injury to the medial collateral ligament. This is caused by a heavy blow to the outside of the knee. This requires ice, bracing and a gradual return to activity.



The second most common knee injury in the sport of basketball is a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). An injury the ACL is more severe the injured medial collateral ligament and is commonly a season ending injury. This occurs when landing from a jump or a sudden change in direction. This requires corrective surgery, current techniques used to repair the ACL ligament usually allows the player to return the next season.

Stress fractures is also a very common injury in basketball. Stress fractures occur from a quick change of activity level or over training. Stress fractures in basketball most commonly occur in the foot and lower leg. ). Once diagnosed, a period of immobilization and non-weight bearing is recommended. Return to play is permitted once the fracture has completely healed and the athlete is pain free.

http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/basketball-injury-prevention.aspx#common