March Into Madness: Dealing with Basketball Injuries

With brackets filled out (and probably busted) and spring finally in the air, March Madness is officially in full swing. As the action progresses and excitement rattles on, you may get the itch to hit the court as well. Unfortunately, with every screen set and cut to the basket, the chance of injury increases, especially in the high octane sport of basketball where more than 1.5 million injuries occur every year. To ensure you’re playing it safe, we’ve compiled a list of common basketball injuries and how to prevent them.

Stay in the Game

When playing basketball, every muscle in your body is used at full capacity. With that comes an extremely high risk of injury. Some of the most common basketball injuries are:

  • Ankle Sprains – The tearing or stretching of the ankle ligaments, commonly due to rolling the ankle too far inward or outward.
  • Knee Injuries – Knee sprains, twists or ACL injuries, all of which can result from tears in ligaments, joints or meniscus tissue. Usually caused by harsh cuts or awkward landings.
  • Pulled Muscles – When the muscle is stretched beyond limit, twisted awkwardly or not strong enough to handle intense pressure.

Sharp pains, bruising, swelling, sensitivity and uncomfortable ‘pops’ and ‘clicks’ can all be symptoms of these injuries. As always, it’s important to take steps to ensure you stay in the game. This includes:

  • Stretching – Take time to fully stretch
  • Hydration – Helps the body perform better
  • Progressing Gradually – Build up the body’s tolerance through conditioning
  • Wearing Proper Footwear – Correct footwear can aid movements and provide support
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Total Relief with Total Pain Care

If you’ve recently experienced an injury on the court or have any debilitating pain in general, know that there is help. At Total Pain Care, our board-certified pain management team can create a customized game plan to get you back in action.

With locations throughout the New Jersey area, it’s never been easier to find total relief. Contact Total Pain Care for an in-depth evaluation and more information today.

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  1. Ronald Amaya, PA-C is a Physician Assistant. He attended Weill Cornell Medical College and received his physician assistant degree in NYC. He has 18 years of experience in cardiothoracic surgery and over 8 years in pain management. Dr. Amaya is NCCPA board-certified in medicine and surgery.

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