Basketball and brackets. It’s what these last few days of March are all about.
NCAA’s March Madness tournament is underway, and it’s a basketball fan’s favorite time of year.
Whether cheering on a player at the collegiate level, or with school or recreational youth sports, the risk for injury in this intense, contact game is high.
According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, more than 200,000 basketball-related injuries are suffered each year in players under the age of 15.
Common injuries include sprains and strains, fractures, tendonitis, as well as minor aches and pains affecting the lower back, knee, hand, and wrist.
Eye injuries also frequently occur due to errant balls, flailing elbows, and misplaced fingers.
To avoid injury while shooting hoops, and defending the basket, Texas Orthopedics recommends:
- Wearing properly-fitting shoes, with laces tied tight, a flexible mouthguard, and protective eyewear if needed.
- Warming up before each practice or game with light stretching and cardio activity.
- Hydrating sufficiently before and after each practice or game.
- Maintaining acute awareness of all players around you and avoiding unnecessary contact if possible.
It’s also important to pay special attention to the knees–as the fast, cutting and pivoting movements on the hard-court surface cause a great deal of wear and tear on this join in particular. ACL injuries are very common in basketball, so adding exercise to strengthen the knee during regular practices is a good idea.
If you have concerns about a basketball injury for yourself, or your child, please contact us for an appointment with one of our specialists.
Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).
(Adapted from MomsTeam.com)
