T20 World Cup is commencing, and cricket all over the world is brimming with excitement. Cricket as the game is played everywhere in India in every colony and school. IPLs are the amplified representation of India’s passion for the game. Whether played by the men in blue or by kids in the alleyway, all are equally at risk of getting injured.
From the breaking of television to the breaking of ligaments, cricket has the ability to show us all. To brief you about those instances we have listed some of the common injuries in cricket.
Hamstring Strain
Hamstring strains are prevalent in cricket and can develop when the hamstring is overworked eccentrically, such as while attempting to control a fast flexing hip/trunk, an extended leg, or both. This may occur when bowling, dashing between wickets, or sprinting in the outfield. Thus every player is at risk. When the load applied to or anticipated to be regulated by the muscle exceeds its capacity, the muscle fibers rip or get injured, especially when stretched. Bhuvaneshwar Kumar suffered a hamstring injury in 2018 during the England tour. Due to this issue, he could not play red-ball matches and missed some white-ball games. KL Rahul also suffered from a hamstring strain and had to sit through both West Indies and Sri Lanka home series.
Contusion
Contusions develop when a blunt object strikes a body region, crushing underlying muscle fibres and connective tissue but not breaking the skin. A contusion can result from falling or collapsing against a hard surface. This causes swelling and bruising in the region and can vary in degree; usually, the contusion will be more severe if the ball hits you more quickly. Most contusions are mild and heal fast, allowing the player to return to the game. On the other hand, severe contusions can cause profound tissue injury and problems that may keep an athlete from playing sports for months.`
Thrower’s Elbow
Thrower’s elbow develops when the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the elbow joint and forearm are damaged. The throwing action stretches the structures on the elbow medial (inside) side while compressing the tissues on the elbow’s lateral (outside) side. Over time, persistent lateral compression can cause microfractures in the arm bones, eventually leading to bone spurs and bone chips. Constant straining on the medial side might cause significant ligament tension. This is very common in bowlers and batsmen. The injury eventually causes mobility restrictions, inflammation, discomfort, and the production of scar tissue, bone spurs, and calcium deposits. If left untreated, this injury can place so much strain on the muscles and nerves that it can cut off blood supply and constrict the nerves that control the muscles in the forearm.
Rotator Cuff Injury
The rotator cuffs are muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint and securely retain the upper arm bone’s head within the shoulder’s shallow socket. A rotator cuff injury might result in a dull shoulder discomfort that worsens at night. Rotator cuff injuries are prevalent and get worse as you get older. These injuries are likely to occur in those who work in industries that involve repetitive overhead motions, such as painters and carpenters. These injuries are most commonly caused by increasing wear and tear of the tendon tissue over time. Repetitive overhead activities or lengthy periods of heavy lifting might irritate or injure the tendon. The rotator cuff is also damaged in a single episode due to falls or accidents.
Sprained Ankle
Sprained ankles are caused by a rapid twisting action that strains the ligaments on the outside of the ankle beyond their limit. This form of ankle injury is typically caused by the ankle twisting inwards as a quick change of direction (such as rushing between the wickets or pivoting to chase after a ball) or on an uneven surface, such as accidentally standing on a cricket ball. The ankle may twist if the foot does not land appropriately during the bowling movement.
Preventive measures
Although many injuries are unavoidable, there are certain things you can do to lessen your chances of becoming hurt.
Warming up and cooling down It is critical to warm up and cool down properly. Make sure you have a well-planned warm-up and cool-down regimen, and always make time for it. Warm-up activities should be more dynamic, while cool-down stretches should be static.
Core stability exercises Core stability training is vital for bowlers since it can help lower the risk of low back discomfort and side strains. A physiotherapist or a gym trainer can assist you in developing a core stability program.
Strength training with a focus Strength training can lower your chance of injury. A physiotherapist can assist you in developing a customised strength program.
Consult a physiotherapist for a checkup, and lower your risk of injury by identifying weak points through a musculoskeletal screening and helping you improve on those weak points.