Common Basketball Injuries and How Physical Therapy Can Help

Basketball is a sport enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It can be an exhilarating and thrilling experience, but it’s also a sport that comes with its own set of dangers. Common basketball injuries include ankle sprains, ACL tears, knee meniscus tears, shoulder dislocations and labrum tears. Let’s take a look at some of these common injuries and how physical therapy can help.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries in basketball. An ankle sprain occurs when you roll or twist your ankle beyond its normal range of motion. This can result in painful swelling and difficulty walking or bearing weight on the injured ankle. Physical therapy helps to reduce swelling and improve strength and flexibility around the joint to prevent further injury. Depending on the severity of the sprain, physical therapists may use manual therapy techniques like soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, stretching, strengthening exercises to restore range of motion and muscle control as well as modalities such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation to reduce pain and inflammation.

Knee Meniscus Tears     

Another common basketball injury is a meniscus tear in the knee. The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that cushions your knee joint against impact when running or jumping on the court. A torn meniscus can cause pain, swelling, locking or catching sensations in your knee, which can make it difficult to walk or run properly. Physical therapy can help by improving range of motion and strength through stretching exercises; strengthening exercises; balance training; proprioceptive training; manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue massage; gait training; modalities such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation; bracing/taping for support; and education about proper technique for jumping/landing/cutting maneuvers on the court with minimal risk of re-injury.

Shoulder Dislocations/Labrum Tears

Shoulder dislocations—where your upper arm bone pops out of its socket—and labrum tears—where your shoulder's cartilage is torn—are two more common basketball injuries that physical therapists can help you manage successfully with personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Treatment plans typically include manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization; stretching exercises to improve mobility; strengthening exercises to increase stability around the joint; modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation for pain relief; education about proper technique for shooting/passing maneuvers on the court with minimal risk of re-injury; bracing/taping for support if needed; and patient education about proper nutrition for optimal performance on the court.
 

Conclusion

Whether you suffer from an ankle sprain, ACL tear, meniscus tear, shoulder dislocation or labrum tear while playing basketball, B Physical Therapy offers comprehensive physical therapy services in Oviedo to help you get back on your feet quickly and safely so you can return to enjoying all that this great sport has to offer! Contact us today to schedule an appointment!