If you’re still excited about the spectacular end to the basketball season you may be trying to hit the court yourself. Basketball is great fun and exercise, but there are some common injuries you should know how to treat when you’re pretending to dunk like Stephen Curry.
- Jammed Fingers: Jammed fingers are perhaps the most common injury in basketball. If you’ve hurt your fingers, ice them immediately and often for the next 24 hours. It’s normal for bruising to linger, but if your swelling lasts longer than a day you should visit an orthopedist, as your finger may be broken.
- Ankle Sprains: Ankle sprains are common in basketball due to the constant jumping and sudden switches in direction while running. Generally, you should rest your foot, elevate, ice, and compress it for the first 24 hours to reduce swelling. You should always follow up with an orthopedist even if you are positive you have an ankle sprain. After you’re swelling has subsided, you should visit a physical therapist who can guide you through exercises that will strengthen your ankle. This is especially important because your ankle will always be more susceptible to injury after a sprain, and recurring injuries could cause more serious and painful problems.
- The stop and go running and jumping characteristic of basketball is hard on your knees as well as your ankles. Simple trips or twists could cause damage to the meniscus or ACL. If you start to experience pain anywhere around your knee you should visit an orthopedist right away. If you’ve completely torn your ACL or meniscus, you will experience pain immediately, have difficulty walking, and will notice your knee swell up. Catching minor injuries to your knee cartilage early is essential to avoiding more severe tears. Your orthopedist can help you treat and prevent knee injuries while on the court.
New York Bone and Joint Specialists is a top rated, private Orthopedic and Sports Medicine practice with locations in New York City, Hoboken, and Englewood, NJ. The Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Pain Management specialists routinely perform surgical and non-surgical treatments for professional athletes from across the United States.
