5 Common Volleyball Injuries
1.) Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy
Mechanism: The rotator cuff muscles consist of the infraspinatus, teres minor, supraspinatus, and subscapularis which allow for shoulder rotation. These muscles are put under a great deal of strain in events where your arm is constantly above your head, such as reaching up to spike and block a volleyball. Excessive strain on these muscles can cause Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy. Sudden sharp shoulder pain can indicate possible rupture of a tendon, while a gradual onset is usually mere inflammation.
Symptoms: Symptoms include pain while performing an overhead activity, pain when the arm is bent and rotated outward against resistance, pain on the outside of the shoulder and possibly radiating down the arm, lots of shoulder pain at night, and stiffness in the shoulder joint.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis is based upon specific symptoms and physical examination. The healthcare provider may inject the shoulder joint with a local anesthetic. Usually, x-rays and other imaging tests are not needed to diagnose tendinopathy, but an ultrasound or MRI is usually recommended to confirm the tear.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: There are multiple treatments for this type of injury. The athlete should rest and ice shoulder for 2-4 days depending upon the severity of the injury. If pain and inflammation have settled down, apply heat. The athlete can take anti-inflammatory medication, and apply an ultrasound or laser treatment. Athletes should use sports massage and stretching techniques. If necessary, the athlete can get a steroid injection or undergo surgery.
Mechanism: The rotator cuff muscles consist of the infraspinatus, teres minor, supraspinatus, and subscapularis which allow for shoulder rotation. These muscles are put under a great deal of strain in events where your arm is constantly above your head, such as reaching up to spike and block a volleyball. Excessive strain on these muscles can cause Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy. Sudden sharp shoulder pain can indicate possible rupture of a tendon, while a gradual onset is usually mere inflammation.
Symptoms: Symptoms include pain while performing an overhead activity, pain when the arm is bent and rotated outward against resistance, pain on the outside of the shoulder and possibly radiating down the arm, lots of shoulder pain at night, and stiffness in the shoulder joint.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis is based upon specific symptoms and physical examination. The healthcare provider may inject the shoulder joint with a local anesthetic. Usually, x-rays and other imaging tests are not needed to diagnose tendinopathy, but an ultrasound or MRI is usually recommended to confirm the tear.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: There are multiple treatments for this type of injury. The athlete should rest and ice shoulder for 2-4 days depending upon the severity of the injury. If pain and inflammation have settled down, apply heat. The athlete can take anti-inflammatory medication, and apply an ultrasound or laser treatment. Athletes should use sports massage and stretching techniques. If necessary, the athlete can get a steroid injection or undergo surgery.
2.) Suprascapular Neuropathy
Mechanism: Occurs when the nerve running along the top of the shoulder blade becomes compressed. Assumed to be caused by the "floater serve" where the player must stop their overhead follow through immediately after striking the ball.
Symptoms: Symptoms include shoulder pain and weakness, especially while performing an overhead activity. Also, tenderness over the suprascapular notch.
Diagnosis: There is no consensus on diagnostic criteria for this injury. Thorough history and examination of the patient is heavily considered. Evaluating history of shoulder trauma or repetitive overuse is an initial indicator of this injury. Weakness of external rotation and initiation of abduction are also common signs.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: Physical therapy, surgery, and injections are common treatments.
Mechanism: Occurs when the nerve running along the top of the shoulder blade becomes compressed. Assumed to be caused by the "floater serve" where the player must stop their overhead follow through immediately after striking the ball.
Symptoms: Symptoms include shoulder pain and weakness, especially while performing an overhead activity. Also, tenderness over the suprascapular notch.
Diagnosis: There is no consensus on diagnostic criteria for this injury. Thorough history and examination of the patient is heavily considered. Evaluating history of shoulder trauma or repetitive overuse is an initial indicator of this injury. Weakness of external rotation and initiation of abduction are also common signs.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: Physical therapy, surgery, and injections are common treatments.
3.) Patellar Tendinitis (Jumpers Knee)
Mechanism: This injury occurs when extreme stresses on the patella tendon, usually caused by repetitive jumping, causes a partial rupture. This often leads to inflammation and degeneration of the tissue. This can be a type of overuse injury.
Symptoms: Symptoms include pain at the bottom of the kneecap, aching and stiffness after exertion, and pain when the quadricep muscles contract.
Diagnosis: There are 4 grades of this injury. Grade 1 is when there is pain only after training, grade 2 is when there is pain both before and after exercise, grade 3 is when there is pain during physical activity, and grade 4 is when there is pain during every-day activities which may or may not be getting worse.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: Massaging the region and rest in the early stages of this injury is important. The athlete can take anti-inflammatory medication, and apply an ultrasound or laser treatment. Athletes should use stretching techniques and undergo physical therapy, if necessary. Eventually, if the condition worsens or simply is not getting better then the athlete can undergo surgery.
Mechanism: This injury occurs when extreme stresses on the patella tendon, usually caused by repetitive jumping, causes a partial rupture. This often leads to inflammation and degeneration of the tissue. This can be a type of overuse injury.
Symptoms: Symptoms include pain at the bottom of the kneecap, aching and stiffness after exertion, and pain when the quadricep muscles contract.
Diagnosis: There are 4 grades of this injury. Grade 1 is when there is pain only after training, grade 2 is when there is pain both before and after exercise, grade 3 is when there is pain during physical activity, and grade 4 is when there is pain during every-day activities which may or may not be getting worse.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: Massaging the region and rest in the early stages of this injury is important. The athlete can take anti-inflammatory medication, and apply an ultrasound or laser treatment. Athletes should use stretching techniques and undergo physical therapy, if necessary. Eventually, if the condition worsens or simply is not getting better then the athlete can undergo surgery.
4.) Ankle Sprains
Mechanism: Sprains are the most common types of ankle injuries. This occurs when the ligaments stretch and tear. In an ankle, the talo-fibula ligament is usually what gets sprained. When the injury is more severe, there are sometimes damaged tendons as well.
Symptoms: Symptoms vary for different degrees of the injury. For a first degree sprain, where there is some stretching and possibly tearing of the ligament, the athlete will experience little or no joint instability. They will have mild pain, some light swelling, and some joint stiffness. A second degree sprain occurs when there is some tearing of the ligament fibers. In this case, there will be moderate instability of the joint, moderate to severe pain, and swelling and stiffness. In the case of a third degree sprain, the ligament will be totally ruptured. There will be gross instability of the joint, severe pain initially followed by no pain, and severe swelling.
Diagnosis: There are 4 grades of this injury. Grade 1 is when there is pain only after training, grade 2 is when there is pain both before and after exercise, grade 3 is when there is pain during physical activity, and grade 4 is when there is pain during every-day activities which may or may not be getting worse.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: An athlete with this injury should aim to reduce the swelling by R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) as soon as possible. They should protect the injured ankle by taping it, and should rest it. Crutches should be used if necessary, and no weight should be on the ankle for at least the first 24 hours. The athlete should see a sports injury specialist to undergo rehabilitation for mobility and strengthening. They can take anti inflammatory medication, use compression devices to reduce swelling, use ultra sound and laser treatment, and massage the region.
Mechanism: Sprains are the most common types of ankle injuries. This occurs when the ligaments stretch and tear. In an ankle, the talo-fibula ligament is usually what gets sprained. When the injury is more severe, there are sometimes damaged tendons as well.
Symptoms: Symptoms vary for different degrees of the injury. For a first degree sprain, where there is some stretching and possibly tearing of the ligament, the athlete will experience little or no joint instability. They will have mild pain, some light swelling, and some joint stiffness. A second degree sprain occurs when there is some tearing of the ligament fibers. In this case, there will be moderate instability of the joint, moderate to severe pain, and swelling and stiffness. In the case of a third degree sprain, the ligament will be totally ruptured. There will be gross instability of the joint, severe pain initially followed by no pain, and severe swelling.
Diagnosis: There are 4 grades of this injury. Grade 1 is when there is pain only after training, grade 2 is when there is pain both before and after exercise, grade 3 is when there is pain during physical activity, and grade 4 is when there is pain during every-day activities which may or may not be getting worse.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: An athlete with this injury should aim to reduce the swelling by R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) as soon as possible. They should protect the injured ankle by taping it, and should rest it. Crutches should be used if necessary, and no weight should be on the ankle for at least the first 24 hours. The athlete should see a sports injury specialist to undergo rehabilitation for mobility and strengthening. They can take anti inflammatory medication, use compression devices to reduce swelling, use ultra sound and laser treatment, and massage the region.
5.) Back Injuries
Mechanism: While playing volleyball, one's back is placed under an excessive amount of strain. This is due to the movements of jumping, bending backwards, and twisting. There are many types of back injuries which can result, and they can be extremely complex. Furthermore, they require the attention of expert and experienced therapists. Most low-back pain is related to muscle or ligament strain.
Symptoms: Sometimes lower back pain is accompanied by pain that radiates down the legs and causes numbness or weakness in the foot or ankle. In this case, the cause is likely a herniated disk. However, if one has spondylolysis, then they may experience pain for more than a month which worsens when bending backward. Symptoms also can include pain at the bottom of the kneecap, aching and stiffness after exertion, and pain when the quadricep muscles contract.
Diagnosis: An MRI can help detect a disc herniation. Usually, volleyball players can return to play once the pain, numbness, and weakness resolves.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: The pain usually resolves with rest, physical therapy and athletic training services. Sometimes, steroid injections can be helpful, and surgery may be necessary if pain persists.
Mechanism: While playing volleyball, one's back is placed under an excessive amount of strain. This is due to the movements of jumping, bending backwards, and twisting. There are many types of back injuries which can result, and they can be extremely complex. Furthermore, they require the attention of expert and experienced therapists. Most low-back pain is related to muscle or ligament strain.
Symptoms: Sometimes lower back pain is accompanied by pain that radiates down the legs and causes numbness or weakness in the foot or ankle. In this case, the cause is likely a herniated disk. However, if one has spondylolysis, then they may experience pain for more than a month which worsens when bending backward. Symptoms also can include pain at the bottom of the kneecap, aching and stiffness after exertion, and pain when the quadricep muscles contract.
Diagnosis: An MRI can help detect a disc herniation. Usually, volleyball players can return to play once the pain, numbness, and weakness resolves.
Treatment/Rehabilitation: The pain usually resolves with rest, physical therapy and athletic training services. Sometimes, steroid injections can be helpful, and surgery may be necessary if pain persists.