A basketballer's constant jumping, turning and running puts great pressure on his ankles. Twist at the wrong angle or land badly and you could stretch the ligaments in your ankle. Sometimes, these takes weeks to heal properly. Once weakened, a damaged ankle is more likely to get injured again in the future. However, you can lower the chance of basketball ankle injuries by wearing proper shoes with some ankle taping.
Risks
A 2001 study in the British "Journal of Sports Medicine" measured the various forms and risks of basketball ankle injuries. Researchers found that ankle injuries happen 3.85 times every 1,000 participations -- that's around one in every 260 sessions on average. Some studies put the rates at much higher than this. Landing after a jump causes the most ankle injuries, at 45 percent. Those with previous ankle injuries had five times more chance of getting another ankle injury. In almost 46 percent of cases, the ankle injury kept the player off the court for at least a week.
Shoes
Surprisingly, wearing high-topped basketball sneakers may not offer much protection by itself. A 1999 review in "The American Journal of Sports Medicine" points to one study that found no real benefit from wearing high-top shoes. However, another study following 2,562 basketball players over two years found that the chances of an ankle injury while wearing high-top shoes is less than half than with standard shoes -- but primarily if combined with ankle taping. Taping the ankle and wearing well-padded high-top shoes particularly helps those with a history of ankle problems.
Prevention
Because of the fast and furious nature of basketball games and the hardness of the court, preventing ankle injuries can be difficult. Playing on a sprung wooden indoor court lowers your chances of injury when compared to asphalt and concrete courts. The latter two offer less shock absorption. Warming up properly before every game helps reduce the chances of developing more chronic ankle problems. Ankle injuries sustained through collisions, twists or accidental falls are much harder to prevent.
Treatment
Basketball ankle injuries fall under the PRICE treatment method: protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. That means getting off the court as soon as you feel the ankle turn or hurt to protect it from further damage. Take your body weight off the ankle as soon as possible. Ice helps reduce the swelling and promotes healing. Compression using bandages or a clean physiotherapy sock helps prevent swelling. Similarly, keeping your ankle elevated helps the injury heal faster and stops blood collecting. After the initial swelling lowers, move your ankle around gently to help with healing. Consult with your doctor or sports trainer for a diagnosis of the extent of the injury and a treatment plan.
References
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Ankle Injuries in Basketball: Injury Rate and Risk Factors; G. D. McKay, et al.; 2001
- "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America"; Rehabilitation of Basketball Injuries; Gerard A. Malanga, M.D., Gary P. Chimes, M.D., Ph.D.; 2006
- "The American Journal of Sports Medicine"; The Prevention of Ankle Sprains in Sports; Stephen B. Thacker, M.D., MSc, et al.; 1999
- American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine: Peach Baskets to Jams
