Traumatology and athletic injuries in basketball

Abstract

This analysis outlines the facts concerning sports injuries and damages of 473 active basketball players covering a 5-year period in more than 100 clubs in southern Germany. The average age was 26.8 years and 34.5% were women. 658 medically treated basketball injuries were described in detail. With 40.7% distortions were the most frequent injuries followed by ruptures of ligaments in 24.6% and fractures in 9.3%. In the majority of cases the lower extremities were involved (65.3%), of which most commonly the ankle joint was injured (45.6%). Another 14% were lesions to the fingers and 12.9% trauma to the knee. In 3600 reported cases players did not consult a physician after inflicting distortions to a ankle or a finger. Aside from interaction with adversaries (41%) also the relatively heavy ball (650 g) caused 11.9% accidents. Survey shows, that younger players and "center"-players were most often subject to injuries. More than 2/3 of actives in question suffer from permanent pain due to basketball activities. 43.8%, mainly younger players, report continues pain in the knee and 28.1%, predominantly older players, suffer from permanent damage of the ankle joint, caused by repeatedly occurring, however light, distortions of the ankle.