Surgeons give tips for basketball safety

While basketball is a popular competitive sport as part of the 2004 Olympic Summer Games beginning Aug. 15 it's often played for fun by people who simply enjoy the game.

Basketball is also responsible for many injuries each year, states the American College of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

According to a news release from the organization, in 2003 alone, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported more than 1.5 million basketball-related injuries treated in hospitals, doctor's offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and emergency rooms.

Despite the varying levels of competition, many of the injuries are common to all players, so it is extremely important to condition the body for all levels of play.

"Professional players gearing up for the 2004 Summer Olympics are spending a good portion of their time on conditioning programs including cardio vascular training, core (abdomen area) strengthening and flexibility exercises to avoid injuries, specifically overuse injuries," said Nicholas DiNubile, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and consultant to the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team, in the release.

"Stressing an area over and over until it is damaged and begins to hurt is known as an overuse injury and (is) one of the most common types of injuries," he said.

One common type of overuse injury is patellar tendonitis, or "jumper's knee," which is characterized by pain in the tendon just below the kneecap.

Achilles tendonitis is another common overuse injury in basketball players.

The Achilles tendon is the strong band of tissue connecting the heel to the calf muscles, and when ruptured or inflamed, causes pain in the back of the leg, just above the heel.

"Injuries to the fingers, twisting and impact injuries to the foot and ankle, as well as to the knee ligaments and cartilage are also common injuries," DiNubile said.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following tips to prevent basketball injuries:

Always take time to warm up and stretch before and after you play. Warm up with jumping jacks, stationary cycling, running or walking in place for three to five minutes. Then slowly and gently stretch, holding each stretch for 30 seconds.

Play only your position, and know where other players are on the court to reduce the chance of collisions. Don't hold, block, push, charge, or trip opponents. Use proper techniques for passing and scoring.

Select basketball shoes that fit snugly, offer support and are non-skid. Ankle supports can reduce the incidence of ankle sprains.

Protective knee and elbow pads will help protect you from bruises and abrasions.

Use a mouth guard to protect your teeth and mouth.

If you wear glasses, use safety glasses.

Do not wear jewelry or chew gum during practices or games.

Outdoor courts should be free of rocks, holes and other hazards.

Avoid playing in extreme weather or on courts that are not properly lit in the evening.

Baskets and boundary lines should not be too close to walls, bleachers, water fountains or other structures. Goals, as well as the walls behind them, should be padded.

Be prepared for emergency situations and have a plan to reach medical personnel to treat injuries such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, head injuries, contusions and lacerations or abrasions.

The Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers safety tips and information about several types of sports on its Web site at www.aaos.org.