Sports injuries are inevitable in professional games, and the New York Knicks were no stranger to them this season. Ending their postseason against the Indiana Pacers in game six, J.R. Smith thought that maybe he was to blame for their loss. A source reported that the NBA player, and the Sixth Man of the Year recipient, battled through the post season with fluid in his left knee. Smith reportedly did not make his injury public during the playoffs because he didn’t want to excuse his poor playing. Southwest Spine and Pain Center sees and treats sports injuries much like J.R. Smith’s. Though Smith might have left his injury untreated, Southwest Spine and Pain Center encourages their patients to report any discomfort or injury to better treat and rehab effectively and efficiently.
Generally, a sports injury is separated into two categories: trauma and overuse. For overuse injuries, an area of the body endures constant stress until it becomes damaged and causes pain. In basketball, a common injury is patellar tendinitis, or “jumper’s knee”, which is when the tendon below the kneecap experiences pain. Smith’s injury was most likely the result of overuse. Overuse injuries can also associate shoulder damage. The rotator cuff gets overworked and the tendons connecting the muscles become inflamed and painful. Carmelo Anthony, a starter for the New York Knicks, had complications with his shoulder this season. An MRI later revealed a shoulder tear that he likely sustained throughout the playoffs.
Traumatic injuries are caused at contact such as jamming fingers, or tearing ligaments. A sudden force causes injury to a part of the body. Basketball players often tear muscles from large muscle groups primarily in the legs. Warm up and cool down exercises are essential to prevent these injuries from occurring.
In any sport, professional or amateur, it is always important to be safe and take care of any injury immediately. Even the slightest pain could be the beginning of a much more severe problem. Patients should report any pain or discomfort they have, especially if they are working out on a daily basis
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The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
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