Introduction
Cricket, being the unofficial national sport of India, has the whole country under its charms. The cricketers who are considered as demi-gods have their share of injuries like a mortal due to playing over a long time without a rest, collisions on the field, repetitive actions and overuse leads the list of many causes for injury.
Common Injuries
The common injuries that trouble cricketers are:
- Shoulder Injuries
Rotator Cuff injuries are the common causes for shoulder pain due to the tears and inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons, shoulder dislocations due to fall on outstretched hand while attempting a catch.
- Elbow Injuries
Excessive strain on the elbow, due to poor technique, causes inflammation of tendons around the joint bringing pain, swelling and imbalance as symptoms. Common injuries are tennis elbow golfer elbow , radiocapitellum impingement.
- Hand Injuries
Most the hand and finger injuries are fractures, dislocation and sprains with the wicketkeepers the main casualty. Pain and swelling are the symptoms that are usually reduced by splinting and compressing the area.
- Lower Back Injuries
The ‘pars Interarticularis region of the lumbar region is most affected where stress fracture can develop, which brings pain while bending backwards.
- Side Strain
This is a bowler’s injury where a tear appears in Internal Oblique, External oblique or Transversalis Fascia at a point where they attach to the four bottom ribs and it affects the non-bowling arm due to the forcible muscle contraction at the time of bowling.
- Hamstring Injury
Overstretching movements like bowling or throwing a ball, fielding can cause tear in the hamstring muscles. This can vary from a mild to a severe tear.
- Knee Injuries
Bowlers due to their constant twisting and exerting pressure on the knees result in tearing the collateral ligaments and tendons
- ACL tear , PCL tears, meniscus tears, chondral injuries.
Most common injury causing pain and swelling in the knees due to the sudden stops or side collisions.
- Patellofemoral Syndrome
Repetitive movement of the kneecap against the thighbone can damage the tissues under the kneecap.
- Foot and Ankle Injuries
- Ankle Sprain
Overstretched ankle ligaments cause sprains; severity varies from a mild twisted ankle or rolled ankle sprain to severe complete ligament ruptures, avulsion fractures or broken bones. Popping or cracking sound with swelling, bruising and ankle pain are the symptoms.
- Shin Splints
The shin pain along the inside or front edges of the shin caused by overuse with poor foot and leg biomechanics and errors in training.
- Posterior Impingement
Long term bowling with a plantar flex action leads to creation of a bone spur.
Causes
- Excessive stretching while bowling, batting, fielding or taking an extra run causes hamstring
- injuries.
- Rolling over of ankle and twisting of ankle while running.
- Excessive strain on shoulders especially when bowling or throwing ball during fielding.
- Improper technique during Bowling, batting and fielding.
- Twisting force of lower back during bowling.
- Bending the wrong way while picking up a ball.
- Impact or collision between
- Players during runs or fielding,
- Player and bat or ball,
- Player and ground.
Prevention
The tactics adopted to prevent cricket injuries are:
- Proper warm-ups and cool-downs before and after game,
- Core Stability Control through core strengthening exercises
- Performing exercises to add flexibility, strength and endurance to the muscles especially the shoulder ones.
- Over-bowling should be avoided.
- Technique Correction for bowling and throwing
- Biomechanics Analysis of static as well as dynamic motions of a player and rectification.
- General Aerobic and Anaerobic Fitness
- Wearing appropriate cricketing gear and additionally wearing shock-absorbing insoles in shoes.
- Wearing protective gear and straps like ankle brace etc.
Treatment
Dr Banarji B.H, Best Orthopaedic Surgeon provides best Treatment for Sports Injuries including Cricket Injury.
