The warm weather is finally upon us! You are only human if the beautiful weather inspires you to get outside and hit the nearest basketball court. However, it is important to play safely to avoid sustaining a painful injury. If you do not play carefully and accept this advice, you won’t be hitting any three-pointers this summer! Miccass Physical Therapy is the choice for physical therapy near Columbus Circle, so get in touch with us today!
Common Basketball Injuries and Treatments
There is no end to the number of injuries that can be sustained playing any sport, let alone basketball. However, there are definitely some that are more common than others. Some of the more common injuries among basketball players include:
Jumper’s Knee – Jumper’s Knee is the term coined for injury of the patellar tendon due to repetitive stress on the tendon created by jumping in basketball.
Treatment: At physical therapy near Columbus Circle, a professional will work with you to develop a regimen of stretching and strength training to help rehabilitate the knee following an injury. A physical therapist may also recommend a decrease in activity while the knee is recovering.
Concussion – Although basketball tends to be less of a contact sport, concussions are still prevalent. In basketball, a concussion can be sustained from two players bumping heads or when a player falls and their head hits the floor.
Treatment: Head injuries are extremely serious so you will have to refrain from play until cleared by a doctor. A physical therapist can help to re-introduce light physical activity as symptoms improve.
Sprains – Sprains, particularly of the ankle are very common among basketball players. A sprain is likely to occur when players try to maneuver side to side too fast, when they jump and land at a strange angle, or when they land on another player’s foot.
Treatment: Less serious sprains can be treated at home with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E). However, if pain persists you should consider physical therapy near Columbus Circle. Spraining an ankle one time makes you more susceptible to sprain it again, so a physical therapist can work with you to strengthen the area and avoid future sprains.
Knee Ligament Injury – There are two main knee ligaments that often can become injured while playing basketball — the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and MCL (medial collateral ligament). The MCL can be moderately sprained or completely torn, while the ACL is most commonly completely torn. A torn ACL is a season-ending injury to any player, requiring surgery to reconstruct it.
Treatment: Due to the high risk, knee injuries should always be evaluated by a health professional. A complete ACL tear can require surgery that requires a year of recovery. A minor MCL injury can be treated with the R.I.C.E. technique.
Physical Therapy Near Columbus Circle
Each injury is usually treated differently, but physical therapy near Columbus Circle can be beneficial regardless. A physical therapist can be useful in preventing injury, rehabilitation of injury, and educating you on how to avoid further injury. A physical therapist can also assist with providing proper training and conditioning in the pre-season to prepare players for the rigor of the game. Personal training is also often helpful for preparing players for the season and avoiding injury.
Contact Us Today!
At Miccass Physical Therapy, we specialize in sports injuries and helping you recover. We offer personalized treatment and therapy to get you back on the court. Contact us today to begin your journey to recovery and get back to playing the sport that you love!
