How to treat a rolled ankle basketball

Treatments For Common Basketball Injuries

06-26-20 - Athletes

Common Basketball Injuries

What are the most common basketball injuries, how can you differentiate each injury, and what forms of treatment are offered? We have a few facts on basketball injuries that were taken by surveying high school basketball players in the United States, by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association:

• 22% of all male basketball players sustained at least one time-loss injury each year.
• 42% of the injuries were to the ankle/foot
• 11% of the injuries were to the hip and thigh
• 9% of the injuries were to the knee
• Sprains were the most common type of injury (43%).
• General trauma was the second most common type of injury (22%).
• 60% percent of the injuries occurred during practice highlighting the need to warm up and strap for training.
• 59% of game-related injuries occurred during the second half of the game, which identifies fatigue as a predisposing factor.

Ankle Sprain

This common injury often happens if a player rolls or twists their ankle the wrong way, damaging the ligaments in the joint. An ankle sprain can take anywhere between a few weeks to a few months to fully heal, depending on the severity.   Players can prevent this ankle injury by wearing the proper athletic shoes that provide support and will help to avoid slipping on the court. An ankle brace is also a great way for players to support the joint and prevent a sprained ankle. Talk with your doctor or physical therapist about what is best for you.

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendonitis can occur from frequent, high-intensity workouts that cause stress on the feet. Often an overuse injury, players may also experience tendonitis if they are wearing old or overworn athletic shoes. If caught early enough, the injury will take between 4-6 weeks to heal.

Players can prevent this injury by adequately warming up before each workout, icing the area, and slowly increasing the intensity of every workout.

Patellar Tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis, another overuse injury, is commonly caused by recurrent stress on the patellar tendon. Over time, this causes tiny tears in the tendon, causing the area to become inflamed. If treated properly, this knee injury takes around 6 weeks to heal.

This injury can be prevented by warming up before exercise, wearing a knee brace, and being careful not to jump or land too hard on hard surfaces.

Muscle Strains

If a muscle is overworked, overstretched, or torn, it could potentially cause a strain. This could occur in a variety of places, including the back, hamstrings, and neck.

This injury can be prevented by taking precautions and practicing proper form and posture. It is important to always stretch and warm-up beforehand.

ACL Tears

An ACL tear is one of the most painful knee injuries and usually requires surgery. Athletes may tear their ACL from suddenly shifting direction on the court, landing awkwardly on one leg, frequent stress to the knee, or accidentally causing the knee to bend backward. After surgery, an ACL tear can take between 6-9 months to fully heal.

Players can avoid this basketball-related injury by always warming up, stretching, building strength in the hips and thighs, and jumping and landing safely on the court.

​Symptoms

• An audible “pop” at the moment of injury
• The slippage of the knee out of its joint
• Severe swelling
• Painful movement ​

​Treatment: Treatment may be surgical or non-surgical, depending on your desired lifestyle. The question is not so much your level of activity in the past, but the expectations for the future.

• Surgical: If your goal is to continue an active lifestyle, surgery may be the treatment of choice because a torn ACL does not heal
• Non-surgical: Therapy consists of a period of protective bracing, with a progressive return to the range of motion and muscle-strengthening exercises. The goal is to create natural stability for the knee by developing the quadriceps and hamstring muscles.

Finger Injuries

Finger injuries are often caused when the ball strikes the hand, jamming or fracturing one or more fingers. Depending on the specific damage to the finger, these injuries can take a few weeks to heal.

Players can prevent this injury by simply being mindful while they are on the court. Being aware of your surroundings is the best way to avoid a finger injury.

What can you do?

Just remember, avoiding a basketball-related injury ultimately comes down to being aware of your body, warming up properly, and stretching frequently. Attending physical therapy, or athletic training, are great ways to help keep your body in great condition. You can book an appointment for a basketball injury screening here.

Holly Lookabaugh-Deur, PT, DSc, GCS, CEEAA is a practicing physical therapist and a partner and Director of Clinical Services at Ivy Rehab Network. Deur is board certified as a geriatric clinical specialist and certified exercise expert for aging adults with more than 35 years of clinical experience.  She is certified as an aquatic and oncology rehabilitation specialist and serves as adjunct faculty at Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University.  

The medical information contained herein is provided as an information resource only, and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultation with healthcare professionals. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-provider relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. IvyRehab Network, Inc. disclaims any and all responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained herein.

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Basketball Injuries: How to Treat Sprains, Concussions, & More

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There were nearly 1 million high school basketball players last year between boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. Basketball is the third most popular high school sport in the United States. Of those athletes, over 35,000 go on to compete in college at a Division I, II, or III level.¹ With that many athletes, there is bound to be injuries. Here’s everything you need to know about which injuries you should expect to occur and when they’re most likely to occur.

At a high school level, male basketball players suffer an injury 1.45 times per 1,000 exposures. Female athletes suffer injuries at a slightly higher rate of 1.88 per 1,000 exposures. An exposure is defined as any appearance in a practice, game, scrimmage, or other organized team activity.²

As far as high school sports go, these numbers are below the average across all high school sports. Basketball is a safer game for men than women and overall it features a lower risk of injury than most other high school sports. However, knowing when and in what situations these injuries occur is important for giving athletes the best treatment possible.

UC Denver’s study of high school sports injuries covered nine sports and the players who suffered injuries more frequently in games than in practice. For both boys’ and girls’ basketball, players were more than twice as likely to get injured in a competition than they were to in practice. The intensity of real games is clearly much more dangerous than the controlled environment of practice.

Two physical mechanisms account for roughly half of all injuries:

• Collisions with another player
• Jumping and landing

Those two mechanisms are responsible for even more injuries among male athletes. Female athletes are at an increased risk of injuries caused by overuse and heat illness as well as rotations around a planted foot.

In terms of basketball plays, there are two culprits accounting four approximately half of all injuries as well:

• Rebounding
• General play (most likely activity between other basketball activities)

Injuries are going to be part of the game no matter what you do. However, there are some good tips for reducing the risk of injuries occurring.

This may seem obvious, but starting with the right equipment is crucial. That means well-fitting shoes with non-skid bottoms and high tops. Ankle injuries are the most common injury for basketball players and they are typically in the form of a rolled ankle. Based on what we know about the situations that injuries occur during, it’s likely that rolled ankles are caused by two things: players rolling their ankles while running between possessions and players coming down on an ankle while rebounding. Having shoes that grip the court and support the ankle is the first step in preventing injuries.³

Fatigue and exhaustion are especially prevalent sources of injury in girls’ basketball but are still an issue in the boys’ game. Good conditioning means having players physically prepared for a full game via cardio exercises during practice. It also means listening to players and paying attention to who has been playing a lot and may need a substitution.

Most teams will warm up before games. Stretching and jogging or other exercises that increase players’ heart rates are great ways to warm up. It’s also important to warm up before practices with cardio and calisthenics that get your players ready. Scale up from lighter exercises to more intense ones as practice begins.

Ice is every athletic trainer’s go-to treatment option for minor injuries, like ankle or knee sprains. Icing injuries is simple if you follow the R.I.C.E method:

• Rest - rest the affected area for 24 - 48 hours
• Ice - apply ice for 20 minutes every two hours
• Compression - use a compression wrap or brace that has is snug but not too tight
• Elevate - raise the affected body part above your heart to reduce pain and swelling

Concussions are commonplace in nearly every sport including basketball. Player collisions, which cause numerous injuries, are a situation that can create hits to the head and, in turn, concussion.

Extra rest and relaxation are healthy for athletes after suffering a concussion. An increased amount of time spent sleeping is typical for players in the days following a concussion. Start their return to physical activity with light exercises and gradually increase their workload in the following days. Be sure to monitor their progress closely during this process.

Athletes are no strangers to pain but that doesn’t mean they have to simply tough it out. Braces can support the injured joint or ligament to prevent further injuries. They also limit movement which prevents painful motions and increases in weight placed on the body part.

Make sure you have your doctor’s approval before beginning any rehabilitation exercises. Here are some ideas to get you started!

1. Start in a sitting position with your legs extended.
2. Place a TheraBand Resistance Band on the bottom of your foot while holding the slack from the toes and heel.
3. Flex your toes away and into the band.
4. Hold this position for briefly then slowly return to the starting position.

1. Tightly hold both ends of a TheraBand FlexBar at chest level, with your wrists facing the ground.
2. Using the hand you want to exercise, curl your hand inward toward your body.
3. Hold for 2-3 seconds and then slowly release.

Exercises, pain treatment, and prevention tips are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to giving athletes the best possible treatment and care. For more exercises, articles, and information, check out Performance Health Academy.

References

1. [email protected]. “Estimated Probability of Competing in College Athletics.” NCAA.org, National Collegiate Athletic Association, 9 Apr. 2019, https://bit. ly/2ZPX6lO
2. Comstock, D. R., Ph.D., Currie, D. W., MPH, & Pierpoint, L. A., MS. (2014). NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS-RELATED INJURY SURVEILLANCE STUDY [Scholarly project]. In University of Colorado Denver. Retrieved from https://bit.ly/2OIck6y
3. “Preventing and Treating Basketball Injuries.” Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle Children's Hospital, https://bit.ly/37xREXx

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided on this site, including text, graphics, images and other material, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

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What can and cannot be done if you twisted your leg

Sprained your leg? This can cause seconds of pain or weeks of recovery due to torn ligaments. We explain what to do if you sprained your leg, and what determines the severity of the consequences.

This has probably happened to everyone: you are walking, it would seem, on a flat surface, without looking under your feet, and suddenly - on a bump that you did not notice, the foot turns to the side, it pierces with a sharp pain. This means that you twisted your leg. Today we will find out what happens in this case, whether such an injury is dangerous and what to do if it does happen.

What does it mean to “tuck your leg”

"Turn the foot" is not a medical term, as such a combination of words means only a mechanical process of how you can turn the foot in an unusual and unsafe way for it. This usually occurs when touching a surface that a person is walking on, although in some sports (such as football), similar injuries can occur when touching a ball or any other object.

So the twisting of the leg itself is not dangerous, but the damage that this can cause to the ankle joint and the tissues surrounding it is dangerous. The ligamentous apparatus suffers most often, less often bones, muscles and nerves. It is from the fact that that is injured and how much that the consequences of the injury depend.

What can be damaged

All the consequences of such an injury are assumed by the ankle joint. It is located near the ankle and connects the bones of the lower leg and foot. Alas, this is a rather fragile and generally problematic joint. In order for us to walk easily and freely, it must be quite mobile and therefore consists of small bones, which together form a complex system. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the ankle joint has the weight of the whole body, and during loads like running or even fast walking, the pressure on the joint only increases. So the consequences of twisting the leg are injuries in the ankle joint: sprains, tears and even torn ligaments, as well as dislocation of the leg and, in the worst case, bone fractures.

In most cases, the foot turns inward, resulting in damage to the ligaments on the opposite (outer) side of the leg. This can lead to their stretching, tearing or even rupture (sometimes a click or crunch is heard at the time of injury). As a rule, the stronger and sharper the leg is twisted, the worse the consequences for the ligaments. If the ligaments cannot compensate for too sharp a turn in the joint, it may dislocate, and if a person has a tendency to brittle bones, even nearby bones may break. In a word, the consequences can be very different: from mild to quite serious.

What to do if you sprain your leg

If you just twisted your leg, after ten seconds the pain goes away and you can move on - nothing needs to be done. However, if the pain still persists, you need to examine the leg in the area of ​​the affected ankle joint.

First of all, we pay attention to the nature of the pain. Suspicious is pain that remains severe for an hour, appears and intensifies when you try to step on the injured leg. Even touching the skin near the ankle can be painful. This may be accompanied by bruising and swelling of the tissues around. A more formidable symptom is a change in the shape of the joint and a violation of its mobility (especially the appearance of new, previously impossible movements - say, an unusual deviation to the side). In the most severe case, even the shape of adjacent bones can change - this already suggests a fracture.

If you twist your leg and it continues to hurt, there are four things you need to do:

1. Give it a rest. Try to walk less in the next couple of days, ideally, activity in the affected ankle joint should generally be minimized.
2. Cool the joint area. Ice is best for this, but you can also use a towel soaked in cold water. During the first day, apply it on the ankle for 15-20 minutes every 3 hours. However, do not overdo it: if the skin is very pale, immediately remove the ice from the leg and warm it up.
3. Put something heavy on your leg. It can be tight stockings, compression stockings or a tight bandage - the goal is to prevent excessive swelling around the ankle joint from developing. The compression should be tight, but not too squeezing, otherwise there will be a threat of impaired blood flow.
4. Elevate the affected foot to avoid swelling. We are not talking about the fact that you need to lift it high: a pillow placed under the leg is enough.

If the pain seems too strong for you, in the absence of contraindications, you can take painkillers from the group of nonsteroidal drugs: paracetamol, ibuprofen and others. There are also local ointments and gels with a similar effect.

There are also a few things that you should NOT do:

1. Warm baths are contraindicated in the first days. Warm water activates the blood supply to the damaged area, which threatens to increase swelling and inflammation.
2. You don't have to keep walking and exercising a lot while overcoming the pain. So there is a risk of additional damage to an already diseased joint, which threatens to aggravate existing injuries.
3. Massage in the area of ​​injury may not be very helpful at first either. The reasons are the same - massage improves the blood supply to the tissues, and this is not at all what we need: it will increase inflammation, swelling and may even cause bruising.
4. There is one more thing to avoid: staying too long. Rest in the first day or two is necessary, but in the subsequent gradual increase in activity in the ankle only contributes to healing. The only exception will be the most severe injuries, when the pain simply does not allow walking, but in such cases it is also impossible to lie at home - you should consult a doctor.

When to seek medical help

The most common ankle injury, a sprain, usually resolves on its own with no sequelae. However, in some cases, the injury can be much more serious, and one cannot do without going to the doctors. Here are some signs of such an injury:

1. if, after an injury, unusual movements become possible in the joint, its stability is impaired;
2. if there is visible bone deformity;
3. if on the second day, when touching the skin over the damaged joint, severe pain persists;
4. if after 4 days the affected leg is still difficult to step on;
5. if you are in severe pain, swelling or bleeding;
6. if you find that all or part of your foot is numb (a sign of nerve damage).

In all these cases, you should consult a traumatologist. He should ask you about the circumstances of the injury and will most likely take an x-ray. As a rule, these data are enough to make a diagnosis, but sometimes additional studies may be required: ultrasound of the joint, CT or MRI.

If you don't have any of the symptoms listed above, it's worth waiting and seeing how your ankle behaves. There is evidence that in case of damage to the ligaments, the examination after 5 days is more informative than the examination during the first 2 days. So if there are no pronounced symptoms, in the first days you can wait for the pain to disappear.

Preventing Ankle Injuries

If you often twist your foot, you need to think about how to protect yourself from ankle injuries. Their insidiousness also lies in the fact that once you damage this joint, you make it much more prone to injury in the future. According to statistics, up to 80% of people who injure their ankle will injure it again in the future.

Most ankle injuries do not occur during sports, but in everyday life - even when walking on level ground. But when it comes to sports, the highest risk of injury is in tennis players, basketball players, soccer players, and jumpers. These athletes should pay special attention to the ankle joints.

A few simple steps to prevent ankle injuries:

1. Wear only comfortable shoes. If you have flat feet, use orthopedic insoles. And women need to know that wearing high-heeled shoes for a long time makes the ankle joint and adjacent bones much more vulnerable.
2. Strengthen your ankle muscles. For this, whole complexes of very simple exercises have been developed that can protect against injuries: after all, it is the muscles that protect the joint from damage.
3. If you play sports, do not neglect the warm-up before training.
4. Practice balance exercises.
5. Look under your feet, after all! Most ankle injuries, alas, are due to the fact that people do not follow this simple rule.

Let's make a conclusion: twisting of the leg, as a rule, does not entail serious consequences. However, injury to the ankle joint is quite possible: ligaments most often suffer. Rest in the joint, its compression and cooling will help to cope with swelling and pain, but if the symptoms are more serious and continue to bother you, you should consult a doctor.

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What to do if you have sprained your leg and your ankle is swollen

Causes of pain and swelling in the ankle

Rapid pace of life, active sports, significant physical activity, excess weight are factors that put the joint at risk of injury. In the case of the ankle, uncomfortable women's shoes are added.

If the leg is turned up, then there is a great danger of getting a number of unpleasant consequences in the form of:

• tendon sprains;
• tear and rupture of ligaments;
• bone subluxation;
• joint dislocation.

If a person has sprained his leg and his ankle is swollen, it is necessary to find out what kind of injury affected the state of the limb.

1. Sprain - the injury is closed, while the fibers that make up the ligament are torn, the patient feels pain and discomfort, but can hardly walk. It will take two weeks for the ligaments to recover
2. Torn and torn ligaments - a more serious and painful injury. You can't walk, your ankle is swollen. It is impossible to touch, and even more so step on a limb. If a rupture occurs, a person hears a pop, followed by a sharp pain syndrome. These injuries cannot be cured on their own, therapeutic and surgical measures are necessary, wearing a fixing bandage for up to one and a half months
3. An ankle bruise is the easiest to manage. She also swells, but everyone knows what to do from childhood. It is necessary to give the leg rest and apply a cold compress. If you suspect a more serious injury, seek medical attention
4. If a subluxation of the bone occurs, then the ankle is slightly displaced and the ligamentous apparatus is injured. It is likely that conservative methods will not work, and surgery will be needed
5. Dislocation of the joint is characterized by a strong displacement (up to 40 degrees) of the bone and trauma to the joint capsule. The pain is unbearable, it swells very much, the limb fails until it is set. This can only be done after anesthesia, and not at home. In case of significant damage to the capsule, resort to the help of a surgeon
6. Ankle fracture can be with or without displacement of the bone, open or closed. Treatment will take from a month or more

Due to the fact that the injuries of this joint are quite numerous, the answer to the question: I dislocated my leg, swollen ankle, what to do, will not be treated on my own and not let things take their course. Chronic injuries, even minor ones, eventually become the cause of arthritis and arthrosis, and these ailments are practically incurable and dangerous with disability.

As a rule, the ankle reacts to injuries with sharp pain, swelling of the ankle or the entire foot, hematomas are possible, due to which the foot increases several times. If the foot has acquired an unnatural position, you cannot try to correct it yourself. This can only be done by a qualified person. It is forbidden to apply heat, warm the injured area.

No matter how significant the injury, first aid may consist of:

1. Fixing the foot with a splint - real or homemade
2. You should not step on this foot, so as not to cause even more harm
3. Apply ice for pain relief. It will also reduce puffiness. Such a compress without harm to health can be kept for up to 20 minutes. Reapply - only after one hour
4. If possible, it is good to apply a tight bandage
5. It is better if the leg is raised.

First aid must be followed by a consultation with a doctor and a determination of the condition of the ankle and the entire foot.

Diagnosis of injury

In the case when the bone on the ankle is swollen from the outside, you need to find out what kind of damage the person received and prescribe the necessary treatment. As a rule, the symptoms are expressive enough so that the traumatologist or surgeon can determine the nature of the injury. However, for absolute certainty, doctors send a person for an x-ray, which shows damage to the ankle. This is the cheapest and most informative way. True, it does not give a result if you need to know the condition of the soft tissues. In addition, it happens that the leg is swollen so much that the x-ray image is blurry. In such cases, a tomogram is made.

Treatment of pain in the ankle from the outside and inside

If a fracture is not detected, the patient is prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, fluid is removed from the joint, and a splint is applied.

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