Basketball is one of the sports played popularly around the world. Players should take precautionary measures to avoid any injuries while playing. Sports injuries can be severe, and if left untreated, they could prevent you from playing the sport again and limit your basic movements.
Sports medicine in Colorado Springs can diagnose your injury and create a customized treatment plan for you based on the severity, extent, and nature.
Knee Injuries
The knee is very susceptible to injuries. Overexerting the knee, sudden motions such as bending and changing the direction, falling with pressure on them can lead to dislocation, fractures, and tear the meniscus.
Repetitive injuries to the knee can cause weakness and chronic pain. Appropriate treatment is decided depending on the intensity of your injuries, such as cracks in the kneecaps, damage to surrounding nerves and blood vessels. These include surgeries, physical therapy, and splinting.
Sprains
Commonly found in ankles, sprains occur when the ligaments are stretched abnormally or torn due to strain. Some common symptoms include swelling, pain, tenderness, bruising, and limited possible motion. Sprains are usually self-treatable by methods such as heat and cold treatment, medication, and orthotics. Getting sufficient rest while healing, limiting physical exertion, and wearing an ankle brace for support is essential. Further strain can result in chronic ankle and joint pain.
Head injuries
On average, 3.8 million concussions caused every year in the US are the result of sports injuries. The ball can hit the player’s head with extreme force, or they might fall and injure their head.
Symptoms that can help identify a concussion include headaches, fatigue, lost consciousness, dizziness, and nausea. Skull fractures and intracranial hemorrhage, which damages the brain’s tissue, require extensive treatment plans.
Traumatic brain injuries can be fatal if they are not diagnosed and treated immediately. They can result in permanent mental and physical disabilities.
Jammed finger
The basketball can directly crash into your finger and affect the bones, ligaments, and tendons. It mainly affects the proximal interphalangeal joint in the middle of your finger.
Redness, bruises, and swelling might occur along with the inability to hold something or move the finger freely. Lack of proper medical treatment can lead to joint deformities, weakness, and traumatic arthritis. After treatment, exercises can help the finger return to its original state of functioning.
Precautions you can take to avoid sports injuries:
- Do not overexert yourself.
- Use techniques to move and balance properly.
- Maintain good posture and distribute pressure on your feet evenly while moving.
- Do not skip warm-ups and cooldowns.
- Take adequate rest and hydrate yourself.
