FACT SHEET
Basketball and Lower Limb Injuries
Whether you’re playing socially or competitively, basketball places a tremendous amount of force on the lower limbs. This increased force not only places the joints under stress, but also the muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Without proper equipment, training, fitness and preparation prior to playing, injuries will invariably occur.
There are two distinct types of injuries that can occur when playing basketball: Acute injury from a sudden and forceful blow, such as landing on some ones foot after a rebound, or a Chronic injury, which develops slowly and becomes aggravated over an extended period of time.
Most acute foot and ankle injuries will occur from landing improperly from a jump, or twisting when falling. These types of injuries are accidental and difficult to prevent. The most common acute injuries include ankle sprains, torn ligaments, muscle pulls, tendon ruptures and fractures.
Chronic, or overuse injuries can be caused by inadequate warm up, poor conditioning, improper and ill fitting shoes, worn out shoes, or biomechanical deformity that causes undue stress on the foot and ankle. Common chronic injuries sustained in basketball include Heel Pain, shin splints, Achilles tendinitis and sesamoiditis.
While most sensible players will strap their ankles prior to playing to prevent ankle sprains, wear correct footwear, maintain a certain level of fitness, and warm up prior to a game, they tend to overlook early signs and symptoms of an overuse injury, usually resulting in long lay-off periods of rest before being able to resume playing again. Returning to your sport too soon will also flare up long-term chronic problems.
Smart players will seek proper advice as soon as discomfort is noticed, while the not-so-smart ones will try and‘play through the pain’. This is a common scenario amongst most athletes, not just basketball, but the result is usually the same, sitting on the sideline watching the game instead of participating.
If you are suffering from any ongoing pain and discomfort, in your feet and lower limbs, get it looked at as early as possible so you can enjoy the game and not be a liability to yourself or your team.
