In-Season Management of Injuries in Basketball: A Pragmatic Approach

Abstract

Effective management of in-season basketball injuries requires a multidisciplinary approach and a well-organized health-care team. Preseason evaluation, including thorough history and physical examinations, affords prospective risk stratification, identification of modifiable risk factors, and objective measures for guiding treatment. In-season injuries generally can be divided into acute or chronic patterns. Acute injuries require prompt initial treatment to limit the inflammatory phase and reduce the time lost to injury. Treatment of chronic injuries necessitates recognition of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in order to alter modifiable causes to limit intensity, duration, and frequency. Timing of injury in relation to season status along with risk stratification for irreversible or permanent injury must also be weighed into treatment decisions. Ultimately, end-of-season evaluations in combination with the offseason provide an essential window for the treatment and execution of individualized training and recovery programs.