Visit Opt Ortho for Physician Recommended ProductsLearn More

Texas Orthopedics
(512) 439-1000
(512) 439-1000
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Patient Portal
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Refer A Patient
  • CAREERS
(512) 439-1000
  • Online Bill Pay
  • Patient Portal
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Refer A Patient
  • CAREERS

Texas Orthopedics

  • Home
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Specialties
  • Resources
  • Contact

March Madness and Basketball Injuries

March 11, 2016Filed Under: Uncategorized

March is here and basketball fans are rejoicing. This month marks the start of the NCAA’s Final Four Basketball tourney with first round games beginning on March 17. March Madness, as it’s known, is one of the most popular sporting events of the entire year.
 
Basketball is a symphony of skill and effortless gliding up and down the court by lean and lanky players, but sometimes even the most talented players can suffer an injury.
 
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports there are approximately 500,000 basketball-related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms each year.
 
The most common injuries occur in the foot, ankle, and knee, including:
  • Sprained ankles
  • Tears in the knee or other ligaments
  • Jammed or broken fingers
  • Stress fractures in the foot and lower leg
If you, or your child, play in a recreational league or on a school team, here are some ways to prevent one of these basketball injuries:
 
Be Prepared.
 
Make sure you are in good physical shape at the start of the season. Practice aerobic strength training and flexibility exercises in the off-season. And, always stretch and warm up every time before you play.
 
Play your position.
 
Focus on just your position instead of carrying yourself all over the court, and know where other players are to reduce the chance of collisions.
 
Wear proper equipment.
 
Choose basketball shoes that fit snugly, offer ankle support and are non-skid. Use protective knee and elbow pads along with a well-fitted mouth guard, and safety glasses if needed.
 
Secure a safe surface.
 
If playing outdoors, courts should be free of rocks, holes and other hazards. Indoor courts should be clean, free of debris, and have good traction. Baskets and boundary lines should not be too close to walls, bleachers, or water fountains, and goal posts should be padded.
 
Avoid too much OT (overtime).
 
Try not to play the game so much beyond regularly scheduled practices and games that you set yourself up for an overuse injury. Take a break of a day or two between games, if possible, and definitely between each season. Playing the same sport in back-to-back seasons can be damaging to your muscles. Alternating sports and activities gives your body a chance to rejuvenate and can help you become a more well-rounded athlete.
 
(Adapted from American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons-AAOS)
 
Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

Related posts:

No related posts.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

Categories

Arthritis
General
Rheumatology
Sports Medicine
Spine
Shoulder/Elbow
Hand/Wrist
Hip
Knee
Foot/Ankle

Follow

    

Popular Blog

OrthoLoneStar Announces Executive Leadership Changes

New Leander Office!

Footer

    Blog Post by Category

  • Arthritis
  • General
  • Rheumatology
  • Sports Medicine
  • Spine
  • Shoulder/Elbow
  • Hand/Wrist
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Foot/Ankle
  • TX Ortho News

    News and Blog

Patient Education

From orthopedic injuries to physical therapy, our patient education library explains many of the conditions and treatments you may want to read about. Learn More

Patient Stories

Our doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and professional staff are what truly make Texas Orthopedics so great. See what our patients are saying about us. Learn More

Why Choose TX Ortho

Why Choose TX Ortho Learn More
  • Services
  • General Orthopedics
  • Sports Medicine
  • Spine Care
  • Joint Replacement
  • Trauma and Fracture Management
  • Physical Therapy
  • Electrodiagnostic Testing (EMG & NCS)
  • Imaging Services
  • Infusion Therapy
  • Surgery Center
  • Pediatrics
  • Telemedicine
  • Specialties
  • Hand & Wrist
  • Elbow
  • Shoulder
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Foot & Ankle
  • Neck
  • Back
  • Rheumatology
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Locations
  • Patient Education
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Testimonials
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Refer a Patient
  • Careers
  • TX Ortho News
  • Patient Login
  • Online Bill Pay

Doctors

  • › W. Parker Abblitt, MD
  • › Abed Abdelaziz, MD
  • › Robert E. Blais, MD
  • › Kenneth Bunch, MD
  • › Christopher M. Danney, MD
  • › Robert A. Foster, MD
  • › Peter M. Garcia Jr., MD
  • › Brian T. Hardy, MD
  • › Austin D. Hill, MD
  • › Vishal Kancherla, DO
  • › Robert J. Koval Jr., MD
  • › Kamen Kutzarov, MD
  • › David C. Laverty, MD
  • › Zachariah Logan, MD
  • › Michael D. Loeb, MD
  • › Joseph R. Martinez, MD
  • › Benjamin A. McArthur, MD
  • › John E. McDonald Jr., MD
  • › Ai Mukai, MD
  • › O. Atilla Onan, MD
  • › Mark S. Parrella, MD
  • › J.P. Rodriguez, MD
  • › Claire Ryan, MD
  • › Vilas Saldanha, MD
  • › Blake Schultz, MD
  • › W. Randall Schultz, MD
  • › Scott A. Smith, MD
  • › J. Brannan Smoot, MD
  • › Joseph H. Snowden, DPM
  • › Jason R. Somogyi, MD
  • › Daniel T. Stewart, MD
  • › Kristopher G. Stockton, MD
  • › Ryan M. Taylor, MD
  • › Ryan M. Tibbetts, MD
  • › Blake Turvey, MD
  • › Todd Walker, MD
  • › Greg L. Westmoreland, MD

INFORMATION ABOUT THE NO SURPRISES ACT AND GOOD FAITH ESTIMATES

Copyright © Texas Orthopedics, All rights reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Texas Orthopedics provides comprehensive orthopedic care by offering on-site X-ray, MRIs, bone density scans, physical and occupational therapy, general orthopedic services, sports medicine, spine care, joint replacement, fracture and trauma care, infusion therapy, and a Joint Commission-accredited outpatient surgery center. In addition to orthopedic surgeons, we have physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists at our locations in Kyle, Round Rock, Lakeway, Northwest Austin, Leander, Central Austin, and South Austin, TX.