Played on almost every playground and in almost every gymnasium, basketball is enjoyed by athletes of all ages and skill levels.  The sport requires quick changes in direction, a great deal of jumping and short bursts of speed.  The injuries that incur are commonly attributed to the explosive, and sometimes unexpected movements of the participant.

Athletes playing basketball are particularly susceptible to ankle sprains, the most common of which is the inversion ankle sprain.  Often times the athlete will land on another athlete’s foot when around the boards or simply “come down on it wrong.” The extent of the damage can be mild to severe, possibly compromising the musculature and structural components as high up as the knee.  Playground or street players must be especially aware of uneven playing surfaces and loose gravel.

Patellar tendonitis, also known as Jumper’s knee, is often seen in basketball players.  This is due to the extremely high amount of stress placed on the patellar tendon while jumping.

Due to the hard playing surface, wrist damage, including sprains and fractures, may result in an athlete trying to brace themselves from a fall.