The Most Common Basketball Injuries

Basketball is a fun, competitive, and very popular sport for people of all ages. It is also a sport that carries with it many injuries that players constantly suffer from. Whether it may be youth league, to high school, college, or even the pros, basketball injuries linger anywhere the game is played. If you’re searching for physical therapy in Nesconset to help treat your basketball related injury, then Island Sports Physical Therapy is here to help you get back on the court.  

Basketball Injuries

As fun as basketball can be, there is a risk of injury any time you play. More than 200,000 basketball-related injuries are reported each year for people under the age of 15 which require trips to the hospital. Many injuries are usually minor, including cuts, sprains, and strains.  

The most susceptible areas to injury are the ankle and knee, where players can injure themselves by rolling an ankle, getting hit in an awkward position, or being accidentally stepped on. In order to help prevent ankle and foot injuries, it is important to have proper footwear, preferably a high top sneaker that helps support the ankle; even adding athletic tape if you are prone to an ankle injury.  

Hip and thigh injuries are also common when players pivot, run, jump, and rebound which can put extra strain on these areas. Strains and bruises of these areas can occur when there is contact on the court or an athlete overextends a muscle or ligament.  A way to prevent some of these injuries is a thorough stretching routine. The more flexible you are the less likely you are to sustain an injury, especially in the hip and thigh. Physical therapy in Nesconset can also help by assigning a training regimen to keep you fit for the season.

In addition, knee injuries are commonly seen in basketball due to the cutting and pivoting athletes do when they are making a charge to the hoop or attempting to get around another player. These injuries include ACL and meniscus tears which can force basketball players to miss up to a year of playing time depending upon the severity of the injury and strength of the athlete. Prevention methods for knee injuries can include strengthening of the surrounding leg muscles or perhaps wearing a knee brace if you are prone to a knee injury.  

No matter what the injury you face, our expertise physical therapy in Nesconset can help you recover fast and allow you to get back on the court. At Island Sports Physical Therapy, we specialize in sports specific training, where we choose a training program that is tailored to your needs and helps you to have a speedy recovery.  It is our goal to help you get back to doing what you love. You train so hard for the basketball season, so why should an injury stop you from having a breakout year? Schedule an appointment if you have suffered an injury so that we can do our best to help you succeed.