Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world. Basketball has many benefits due to the specific movements involved. Basketball requires repetitive jumping, frequent changes in direction, sudden starts and stops, contact with opposing players, and coordination to control the body as it moves around the court. The benefits of playing a sport like basketball are plentiful; improved cardiovascular endurance, improved strength, improved lean muscle mass and weight loss, and improved self-esteem (1). However, due to the complex movements, the contact involved, and the aggressive nature of the sport, injuries do happen.
At TFI Physical Therapy & Sports Performance in Chicago and Vernon Hills, IL, our physical therapists are here to help rehabilitate any injury encountered during basketball, while our personal trainers can take your game to the next level.
Risk Factors and Common Injuries in Basketball
Due to the required movements in the sport, like repetitive jumping or changing directions/cutting, injuries do occur. So what are the most common types?
- Ankle Injuries
- Ankle Sprains
- Lateral ankle sprain: The most common is a lateral ankle sprain. An ankle sprain typically occurs when a player lands awkwardly during a rebound or steps on an opposing player’s foot causing the foot to move inwards. The ligaments get stretched beyond their normal limits causing pain, swelling, and decreased weight bearing ability.
- Achilles Injuries
- Achilles tendinopathy: Irritation through the achilles tendon is typically caused by repetitive movements such as jumping or running.
- Achilles tendon rupture: These occur when the achilles tendon cannot handle the amount of force being applied. This can happen when quickly changing direction or coming down from a high jump. The tendon completely ruptures. Surgery is typically required, though not always depending on certain factors.
- Ankle Sprains
- Knee Injuries
- Patellar Tendinopathy
- Jumper’s knee: Pain that is located over the front of the knee, just below the knee cap. It typically occurs with repetitive jumping and has a prevalence rate of over 40% in elite basketball players (2).
- Ligament Injuries
- Sprains: Knee ligaments including the ACL, MCL, and LCL can be overstretched but not necessarily resulting in a complete tear. This happens with both contact and non-contact injuries.
- Ruptures: These occur when the ligament is completely torn and often requires surgical intervention.
- Patellar Tendinopathy
- Muscle Strains
- Hamstring Strain: An overstretching in the hamstring muscle that causes muscle fiber tearing. There are varying degrees of severity with more mild cases having a quicker recovery and more severe cases requiring surgery. Hamstring strains occur often with sudden acceleration or sprinting that causes the muscle to contract quickly.
- Adductor Strain (Groin Strain): Groin strains occur during an overstretching of the muscles of the inner thigh and can cause tearing similar to hamstring strains. Groin strains, or groin pulls, happen during quicker lateral movements or changes in direction.
- Calf Strain: A pulled muscle in the back of the lower leg due to overstretching or tearing of the muscle. Quicker movements such as pushing off while initiating sprint can cause these injuries.
- Muscle Contusions: An injury to the muscle fibers caused by a direct blow such as an opposing player’s knee.
- Lumbar strains: Is a strain to the muscle and tendons of the low back. Quickly twisting or bending are common causes of these injuries.
- Concussions: Concussions are forms of mild traumatic brain injuries that happen with a direct blow to the head or when the head is quickly shaken. In basketball these can happen if two opposing players knock heads together, or a fall causes the head to hit the floor. It is important to get a sideline assessment if any head injuries occur during the game or practice.
These injuries occur throughout the athlete’s lifespan and in recreational and professional players. According to the National Basketball Player’s Association, the most common youth injuries in basketball are ankle sprains, knee injuries, muscle contusions, and concussions (3). The most common injuries in professional basketball players are lateral ankles sprains, patellofemoral involvement, or anterior knee pain, hamstring strains, and lumbar strains (4).
How can physical therapy help with basketball injuries?
The physical therapists at TFI Physical Therapy & Sports Performance in Chicago and Vernon Hills, IL will evaluate your injury and make a specific rehabilitation program for your recovery.
Muscle strains and ligament sprains will incorporate a gradual return to sport progression. Initially, the goal is to protect the injured area, while improving mobility and decreasing pain. As the injury improves, more functional activities will be initiated focusing on improving strength and range of motion. Then, a specific focus will be placed on sport-specific activities to support a safe return to play and participation.
Muscle Contusions can impact range of motion and general strength. Rehabilitation of these injuries incorporate a return to normal motion and a gradual increase in strength.
Concussions are often overlooked but require a team of individuals to have a safe and effective return to play. MDs, physical therapists, and athletic trainers work together to ensure and appropriate progression of activities. Teachers and school counselors are also involved if a school-aged basketball players are concussed. Returning to sport too quickly can have a negative impact on recovery time following a concussion.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury while playing basketball, the physical therapists at TFI Physical Therapy & Sports Performance can effectively evaluate and start a rehabilitation program to get you back on the court. Get in touch with us here.
Interested in personal training specific to basketball? Check out our basketball specific training program.
- Andreoli CV, Chiaramonti BC, Biruel E, et alEpidemiology of sports injuries in basketball: integrative systematic reviewBMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 2018;4:e000468. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000468
- Maffulli N, Oliva F, Loppini M, Aicale R, Spiezia F, King JB. The Royal London Hospital Test for the clinical diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2017;7(2):315-22.
- https://nbpa.com/grassroots/blog/common-youth-basketball-injuries-and-what-to-do
- Drakos, Mark C et al. “Injury in the national basketball association: a 17-year overview.” Sports health vol. 2,4 (2010): 284-90. doi:10.1177/1941738109357303
- Maffulli N, Oliva F, Loppini M, Aicale R, Spiezia F, King JB. The Royal London Hospital Test for the clinical diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2017;7(2):315-22.
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