Immediate Release
For more information, contact:
Todd Schuetz(847) 384-4032 [email protected] Joanne L. Swanson(847) 384-4035 [email protected]
A. J. Wright(847) 384-4034 [email protected]
Basketball-related injuries top 1.6 million costing over $19 billion
ROSEMONT, Ill As the winter season approaches and basketball enthusiasts hit the court, basketball-related injuries are on the rise. Hospitals and doctors' offices treated more than 1.6 million basketball-related injuries in the year 2000, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). It cost the U.S more than over $19 billion in medical, legal, work loss and pain and suffering expenses.
"Basketball provides an excellent opportunity to develop musculoskeletal coordination and cardiovascular fitness," explained Joseph J. Marotta, MD, New York orthopaedic surgeon. "It has a moderate potential for traumatic impact to the body including sprains and jamming injuries to the fingers, twisting and impact injuries to the foot and ankle, as well as to the knee ligaments and cartilage."
"Overuse injuries in basketball commonly involve stress fractures of the leg and foot and inflammatory conditions such as tendinitis of the knee," said Dr. Marotta. "Proper footwear and appropriate playing surfaces are essential to minimize risk."
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers the following tips to prevent basketball injuries:
-- Always take time to warm up and stretch. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury. Warm up with jumping jacks, stationary cycling or running or walking in place for 3 to 5 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. Cotton socks can absorb perspiration and also give added support to the foot. 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 or glass guards.
-- Do not wear jewelry or chew gum during either practice or games.
-- Outdoor courts should be free of rocks, holes and other hazards. Inside courts should be clean, free of debris, and have good traction.
-- When playing outside, environmental conditions must be considered. Avoid playing in extreme weather or on courts that are not properly lighted 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 head injuries, fractures, dislocations, sprains, contusions and lacerations or abrasions.
To bring greater awareness to this problem and offer guidelines on reducing injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has launched Prevent Injuries America!, a national public education campaign. For more information on "Prevent Injuries America!", call the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' public service telephone number 1-800-824-BONES (2663) or log onto our web site at www.aaos.org.
An orthopaedic surgeon is a medical doctor with extensive training in the diagnosis and nonsurgical as well as surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.
The 25,500 member American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (www.aaos.org) or (http://orthoinfo.aaos.org), is a not-for-profit organization that provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons, allied health professionals and the public.
An advocate for improved patient care, the Academy is participating in the Bone and Joint Decade (www.boneandjointdecade.org), the global initiative in the years 2000-2010 to raise awareness of musculoskeletal health, stimulate research and improve people's quality of life.
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