VOLLEYBALL INJURIES
Volleyball players are typically prone to injuries that correspond with the areas of body used in specific motions. The shoulder is prone to injuries from serving and hitting the ball, the knee can be hurt from diving or landing hard, the ankle and low back can be injured from jumping and twisting motions, and the fingers are particularly prone to injuries from smacking the ball. The most common injury in volleyball is the ankle sprain, which results in the highest amount of lost playing time.
Although the teams are separated by a net, there is still a risk of acute injury in both volleyball and beach volleyball. Ankle sprains are most common injury. Many players have sprained both ankles several times.
ANKLE SPRAIN
The most common injury among volleyball players, accounting for 32% of all injuries. Most will occur during spiking or blocking in front of the net when players jump up and land on an opponent’s foot who overstepped the line or a teammate’s foot causing an ankle sprain.
FINGERS JOINT SPRAIN
In 13% of cases from jumping up to catch ball spikes that are coming in at 100 kmph, including receiving balls from jump serves. This type of injury is more common among new volleyball players more than professional players who already learned how to protect their fingers.
KNEE SPRAIN AND STRAIN
Occurs in 17% of cases. It is a chronic inflammation of the kneecap and ligaments. Studies of national team volleyball players showed that these athletes who have played for at least 10 years have jumped 2 million times, averaging 500 times per day
HOULDER STRAIN AND SPRAIN
Volleyball requires the use of the arm and hand to spike the ball. In one competitive season which lasts around 2 – 3 months, spikers will use either their left or right arm to repeat the motion 40,000 times! If they are not strong enough or if the ligaments around the shoulder is injured and they still need to spike, it may lead to injury or tear, and ultimately instability of the shoulder joint.
LOWER BACK PAIN
In 12% of the cases and can cause spine pain. Excessive spine movement, especially in setters on the volleyball team can contribute to the pain due to the repeated motion to set up the ball for the spikers. Both setters and spikers need to jump and arch repeatedly, thereby displacing the spine or suffering from trauma should they fall down.
We offer the best, least invasive and least aggressive options to relieve your pain and symptoms so you can get back to the life you love.
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