Rehabilitation of Trunk, Hip and Groin Injuries in Basketball Players

Abstract

Trunk, hip and groin injuries create a plethora of challenges to those involved in basketball sports medicine, player care, and performance science. In order to have a chance of winning this battle, the case manager and their supporting medical staff must understand basketball and the athlete who is injured. Constant and effective communication must be employed throughout all rehabilitation phases so that management and all staff supporting the player work collaboratively. The specific rehabilitation for trunk, hip and groin injuries must address biomechanical issues that may compound an acute issue or may correlate with increased loading on tissues chronically over time. The clinician must blend principles of anatomy, biomechanics and basketball-specific retraining drills in order to achieve a permanent change in the players’ movement patterns and reduce re-injury risk. Exercises targeted and utilised should be chosen to optimise tissue healing and help restore performance parameters. Various outcome measures and testing must be underpinned by an in-depth subjective and objective examination. The rehabilitation pathway should follow a robust and graduated phased approach from early stages through to completing all pertinent return to play criteria. This will enable a safe return to full basketball play, and ultimately, competition.