 Basketball Knee Injury Prevention Patellar Tendonitis: The patellar tendon is what joins the kneecap and the tibia. When performing direction changes (lunges, turns) or jumps, the patellar tendon is put under a great deal of stress. Continued stress of the tendon can result in degeneration and a knee injury condition known as “Jumper’s Knee”. Symptoms of Jumper’s Knee or Patellar Tendonitis include pain in the kneecap, aching after exercise, and calf weakness. Sometimes this knee injury seems minor, but if left untreated, it can result in a more serious knee injury.
Cartilage Knee Injury: The knee has cartilage which absorbs the shocks from running and jumping. However, constant running and jumping, particularly when not precipitated by proper warm up, can result in degeneration and damage to this knee cartilage. Symptoms of a cartilage knee injury include pain when pressing down on knee, pain on the inside of knee, swelling of knee, and inability to obtain full range-of-motion with knee. A severe cartilage knee injury may require surgery.
Torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament): The ACL is one of the primary ligaments that stabilizes the knee. Generally, a torn ACL knee injury occurs when there is a direct blow or when a twisting force is applied to the knee but the foot does not move. Many times, when an ACL is torn, there is an audible pop. A torn ACL is usually immediately painful, but swelling in the knee can be instantaneous or delayed. The knee can remain swollen and tender.
Tips to prevent a knee injury in basketball:
- Warm up properly.
- Strengthen the muscles in the entire leg to prevent loss of stability. A knee injury can be caused when unstable ligaments and muscles are pushed physically. Walking stairs and weight training are good strengthening exercises.
- Stretch consistently and properly to lengthen muscle limits. Many times, injuries occur when muscles which are not often stretched are pushed beyond their limits.
- Wear proper footwear. Shoes that don’t fit or are substandard can increase risk of injury.
- Consider a knee brace during practices and play, particularly if you have a history of knee injury. A knee brace can provide added stability to decrease the chance for abnormal pressure to be applied to the ligaments. The DonJoy knee brace provides many choices for bracing, so you should be able to find a knee brace that fits your needs.
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 The following list of gear are the basic gear you should consider when considering participating in Motocross:
Helmet
You want to be sure the helmet you’re using for Motocross is an actual “Motocross” helmet and has DOT and Snell approval. You also want one that’s lightweight and built with good ventilation. And you always want to be sure you have the right fit. The helmet should fit snug so it’s not shifting around and should not be so snug that it’s giving you a headache. Correct sizing is very important.
Neck Collar
A neck collar or roll helps to reduce shock, fatigue and prevent excess head movement, which can lead to neck injury. Typically, neck collars are lightweight and built with a shock absorbing foam base. Good neck collars are versatile and will allow the rider to attach to a chest protector or have attachments so it can be worn without the chest protector. It should also have a removable cover so it can be removed for cleaning to keep it fresh.
Chest Protector
Chest protectors are designed to be worn over your jersey or enduro jacket and consist of an injection molded durable polycarbonate chassis and shoulders. They include a back protection system, and upper arm guards. Typical models include integrated venting, and quick lock buckle closure systems to keep you cool and to make it easy to take on and off. For maximum protection during fast riding or racing, a plastic chest protector is usually the best choice.
Elbow Guard |
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