For the Love of the Game

Injuries happen, especially when you fully immerse yourself into any type of sport. Although injuries are preventable, they still happen.

Common Basketball Injuries

Just like any other sport, you’ll be prone to some common injuries while playing basketball. Thing is, if you take rest and exercise well, you should be able to prevent these injuries. And as is the case with everything in life, don’t overdo your training/exercise. Everything in moderation, folks. Take note (and take precautions!) to avoid the common injuries given below –

Ankle Sprain

As the name suggests, this is a tear in the ligaments of the ankle. A ligament is a short, tough fibrous tissue that connects two bones together. The ligaments around the ankle are responsible for keeping it in place.
You know you’ve sprained your ankle when –

• You can’t move your ankle (duh)
• You feel pain when applying weight to your leg
• When you see swelling or bruising

Treating the sprained ankle –

• A common method called R.I.C.E – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
• Over the counter pain relievers
• Stretching and balancing exercises

Achilles Tendonitis

This title doesn’t really suggest much, so I’ll just go on and explain a bit. A tendon is a strong, fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel. A lot of running and walking will put stress on the lower end of the tendon, due to which the back of the heel will start hurting. Obesity and flat feet also contribute to this. Among other things, exercising in cold weather, not wearing proper shoes, will exacerbate the condition.
You know you’ve got Achilles Tendonitis when –

• You feel pain in the heel along the tendon when running, walking, or even while standing
• You can see swelling on and around the heel

Treating Achilles Tendonitis –

• Avoid or limit doing things which need you to exert your legs
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Specific exercises

Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendonitis)

This refers to any injury to the tendon that connects the kneecap to the shinbone. Basically people who are into sports which need jumping are prone to this, such as basketball.

You know you’ve got Jumper’s Knee when –

• You feel pain when jumping or kneeling down, specifically in your kneecap.

Treating Jumper’s Knee –

• As with most injuries, you can follow the R.I.C.E treatment mentioned earlier.
• If not rest, then anti-inflammatory drugs

Muscle Strains

Well, this one’s hardly rocket science. If you exert too much pressure on your muscles, they’ll strain. Exercise very hard, lift something too heavy, overdo it, and you’ll end up tearing a muscle.

You know you have a muscle strain –

• It’s pretty evident by now that if you have any sort of swelling, or something hurts, it’s probably damaged.

Treating Muscle Strains –

• Try the good ol’ R.I.C.E method!

Any Finger Injury

Any sort of finger injury is very likely with a sport like basketball. It could be a simple bruise, or dislocations, or even fractures.

You know you’ve got a finger injury when –

• ….. Oh, come on? You want me to write this down as well! If it hurts, it’s injured. Jeez.

Treating a finger injury –

• Buddy taping – Tape one finger to another, so that the finger which hurts doesn’t move.
• A cast or a brace
• If it’s not too serious, just R.I.C.E