Baseball Players Are Vulnerable to These Injuries at Every Age

During the summer months, baseball and softball are popular sports for all ages. From little league to college sports and MLB, athletes play baseball all summer long. However, your baseball plans end early when you suffer from an injury. Of course, there are occasional sprains and strains, but there are specifics injuries that you commonly see in baseball. In fact, these baseball injuries are seen in athletes at every age. Grown athletes and professionals are more susceptible to injury because of their age the frequency that they play. Young athletes and their parents should be aware and take caution before heading out to your next baseball practice or softball game. Softball and baseball players are vulnerable to these injuries at every age.

 

The Most Common Baseball and Softball Injuries

1. Meniscus Tear

The main elements of softball and baseball are catching, throwing, running and hitting. Each of these activities put stress on different parts of our bodies. For example, any time you are running, the knees are bending back and forth while supporting your body weight. Also, when hitting the ball, your knees are twisting from one direction to another. If you forget to stretch before your baseball game, your risk of a meniscus tear increases. The meniscus provides the knee bones with cushioning and support, but any kind of tear is painful to athletes. Small meniscus tears heal naturally while more serious injuries need sports medicine treatment.

2. Rotator Cuff Tear

A rotator cuff tear is common for softball and baseball pitchers. Even though pitchers have special rest days and more time between their games, the speed and power they use to throw the ball cause shoulder injuries. Overuse of the shoulder muscles and tendons is the main cause, to be exact. Shoulder pain for baseball or softball players may start as tendonitis. Eventually, if this joint pain and inflammation goes on without treatment, the tendons will tear. In most cases, tendonitis heals with rest, but a rotator cuff tear will need shoulder surgery.

3. Elbow Tendonitis (Tennis Elbow)

Another part of the body that suffers from tendonitis is the elbow. You may recognize this diagnosis as tennis elbow, even though it applies to other sports like baseball and softball. So, don’t think elbow problems are only for tennis players. Elbow tendonitis is a common injury in baseball too. Again, overuse is the cause of this joint pain. Extra stress on the elbow when hitting or pitching leads to elbow tendonitis, especially when the player is not getting enough rest after their games or practices.

4. Hand Injuries

Lastly, your hands are vulnerable to injury during softball and baseball games. When players are on defense and guarding the field, they are diving and doing anything they can to make their play. If a catch or landing goes wrong, players injure their hands, fingers and wrists. Hand injuries also occur when sliding into base. Harsh contact with the base can dislocate a finger or the wrist. It’s difficult for baseball players to avoid these injuries when sliding because they are sudden.

 

Treatment and Recovery for Baseball Players

Baseball players are vulnerable to meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, elbow tendonitis and hand injuries at every age. Softball players are vulnerable to these sports-injuries as well. Prevent overuse by resting and giving your body time to relax. If you are a player, coach or family member, remind athletes to take caution before and after their games. Houston Physicians’ Hospital has a sports medicine department that treats athletes and sports injuries at every age. We also have an excellent physical therapy program for your rehabilitation and recovery. Contact Houston Physicians’ Hospital in Webster, Texas for more information about sports medicine or physical therapy.

Tennis Players Must Be Aware of This Common Hip Injury

Sports activities are one of the easiest ways to get exercise. Often, your doctor or physical therapist may even suggest picking up a new sport. One activity that is popular for men and women of all ages is tennis. Tennis players may start as children or pick up the sport even during their retirement years. Tennis helps with cardio and conditioning, but it may also cause joint pain later. Many have heard of the painful disorder known as tennis elbow. However, “tennis hip” exists as well. Since this hip injury is like tennis elbow, the hip joint will suffer from familiar chronic pain symptoms.

 

Range of Motion

Tennis is not a contact sport, but tennis players are always moving. Back and forth, left to right or jumping up and down are some of the normal movements for serious tennis players. The constant motion and patterns do have benefits like weight loss and heart health. Tennis keeps people moving. Eventually, these same movements may be the cause of chronic pain though. Tennis hip is a common hip injury that results when there is major stress to the joint from turning and pivoting moves seen in this sport. If players do not pivot or move their hips as much, the injury will quickly affect the shoulder and elbow instead.

 

Tennis Hip Symptoms

Tennis elbow is a common injury for this sport. If a player’s elbow begins to hurt, it is easy to assume that the disorder may be tennis elbow. Tennis hip has its own symptoms too. Not only will tennis players begin feeling chronic hip pain, the joint will feel stiff. The stiffness may even keep players from moving in certain directions. For example, tennis hip is a common hip injury that makes side to side motions more difficult for patients. Similar conditions that affect the hip are tendonitis and snapping hip. These injuries are mainly due to the overuse of the hip muscles.

 

Remember to Stretch!

Stretching before a tennis game is extremely important. Stretching allows for the body to loosen and relax before intense activity. It is just as important to stretch afterward too. Tennis players may be tired, but stretching the hips will help with the player’s cool down. Hip stretches will calm the body, muscles, and heart. Remember to always stretch before and after to avoid a common hip injury. Simple hip stretches can make a big difference when it comes to chronic hip pain and tennis hip symptoms.

 

If you believe you have tennis hip symptoms, tennis elbow or other conditions that relate to your sport, contact Houston Physicians’ Hospital. We have a sports medicine program as well as physical therapy that can help you get back in the game.