Common Basketball Injuries and Prevention Tips

Shanda McNew - PRO PT

Basketball is arguably the most popular youth sport, but nearly 25% of these young athletes will have an injury causing them to miss playing time. While not all injuries can be avoided, there are some things parents and players can do to reduce the risk of being sidelined.

● General Health and Cardiovascular Readiness: Develop good baseline strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness in the pre-season. An annual physical exam or physical therapy assessment is a great place to start designing an off-season training program. Avoid overuse injuries and burnout by taking time off when your body needs to recover. Hydrate adequately before and during practice and games.

● Foot/Ankle Injuries: Whether it’s rolling an ankle, landing awkwardly, or accidentally getting stepped on, preventing these common basketball injuries is all about support and stability. A good pair of high profile basketball shoes will provide ankle support and traction on the court. Improve your balance and stability with work on jumping, landing, agility, and single leg proprioceptive skills.

● Hip/Knee Injuries: Pivoting, running, jumping, and rebounding all place extra strain on the knees and hips and can over-extend these muscles and ligaments. Stretching and strengthening your leg muscles will decrease risk of injury, so stretch before activity and hit the gym in the off-season.

● Upper Extremity Injuries: Preventing jammed fingers, upper extremity fractures, and sprains from falls or collisions is primarily about awareness. Look the ball into your hands when catching a pass and be aware of where other players are on the court.

● Head/Face Injuries: Bumping heads, falling, or taking an elbow or ball to the face can result in a concussion. Closely monitor concussion symptoms and seek immediate medical attention for headache, nausea, blurred vision, or confusion.