Physical Therapy for Basketball Injuries
Basketball is a high-intensity sport requiring speed, agility, and tenacity. Basketball players sprint, jump, make quick changes in direction, and rapidly accelerate and decelerate while handling the basketball. It’s important to prepare for the arduous physical demands of the basketball season to prevent injury. A physical therapist can help basketball players prepare for the season through a comprehensive exercise program and treat players for any injuries during the season to return them to the sport safely and quickly.
Common Basketball Injuries
Basketball injuries can be traumatic or due to overuse. Traumatic injuries result from a single incident, such as an ankle sprain or ACL tear. Overuse injuries develop over time due to excessive stress on a body part that does not have the time and rest to recover, such as Achilles tendinitis. This past year, nearly 60% of basketball injuries occurred in the lower extremities with ankle sprains the most common injury among male athletes and ankle injury and non-contact ACL injury the most common among female athletes. More than half of basketball injuries occur during the second half of the game.
Common basketball-related injuries include:
Ankle sprain: the most common basketball injury, it occurs due to overextending the ankle or losing balance when moving quickly, pivoting, or landing after a jump.
ACL/MCL strain or tear: The ACL and MCL are important ligaments that stabilize the knee joint. ACL injury can occur when the player stops suddenly and changes direction, which stretches and tears the knee tissue. MCL injury can happen when the side of the knee is hit hard.
Fractured kneecap: This injury occurs when a player lands directly on the kneecap. The player often feels pain behind the kneecap, which is caused by excessive joint pressure due to misalignment of the kneecap.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome: This syndrome involves pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap. It develops from repetitive stress on the knee due to running, jumping, squatting, or increasing training intensity or volume too quickly.
Wrist or hand injury: 11% of basketball injuries occur to the wrist, hand, or forearm.
Meniscus tear: The meniscus is cartilage that cushions, supports, and aids movement in the knee. Injury can result from a sudden twist or turn or extended wear and tear.
Achilles tendon injury: Injury to the Achilles tendon includes tendinitis (inflammation due to overuse), bursitis (swelling of bursa at back of heel), or ruptures of the tendon.
Bicep tendonitis: This injury involves inflammation of the tendon that attaches to the forearm or shoulder due to overuse of the biceps.
Physical Therapy for Basketball Injuries
Physical therapists can help basketball players prepare for the season with a comprehensive exercise program as well as address and treat any injuries that occur throughout the season to return the players to their sport safely and in optimal form. The pre-season exercise program focuses on strength training, flexibility, and aerobic conditioning to improve overall endurance and correct any muscle imbalances. The therapist helps to minimize injury risk by targeting weak or over-used muscles and maximize performance through specific strength training. Should an injury occur during the season, the physical therapist customizes the treatment plan specifically to the injury and the player’s particular needs.
Physical therapy rehabilitation for basketball injuries includes:
Stretching muscles and joints: following an injury, it is common that scar tissue forms and soft tissue contracts, leading to stiffness and limited range of motion. Stretching exercises helps to regain range of motion and mobility in the affected area.
Strengthening exercises: targeted weight training to specifically strengthen the muscles in the injured area.
Core strengthening and stability: a strong core can decrease the risk of re-injury and provides a strong foundation for the player’s overall movement.
Basketball-specific training to prepare player for return to sport
Use of Mangiarelli Rehabilitation’s Primus BTE sports medicine equipment to objectively measure strength of knee after a knee-related sports injury (ACL, MCL, Meniscus tear)
Basketball is a fast-paced, intense sport demanding a high-level of athleticism, endurance, and agility. Whether your goal is to prepare effectively for the season or return to sport after an injury, our sports medicine physical therapists are qualified to support you, guide you through a pre-season comprehensive exercise program, and provide excellent rehabilitative care to ensure you recover from injury and return to your sport safely and in optimal form.
