The 2024 Olympic Games are drawing global attention. While athletes make their sports appear effortless, the constant overuse of muscles and tendons can lead to injuries. A Baylor College of Medicine orthopedic surgeon details common injuries among popular Olympic sports.
Basketball is a high-impact, lower-extremity-related sport often leading to ankle and foot injuries. Ankle sprains occur when ligaments supporting the ankle stretch beyond their limits or tear, typically during sudden changes in direction or improper landings. Achilles ruptures and strains also are common, resulting from explosive movements such as jumping and quick sprints.
Knee injuries are another major concern, including knee sprains that involve the stretching or tearing of ligaments within the knee joint. Severe sprains can lead to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures or meniscus tears, often requiring surgical intervention and extensive rehabilitation. Overuse and repetitive stress from jumping can lead to patellar tendonitis, commonly known as jumper’s knee.
Upper extremities are less commonly injured in basketball, but players have a high tendency for finger injuries due to the high velocity and force involved in catching and handling the ball. Shoulder dislocations remain a potential risk.
“For these on-court collisions when you’re running high speed down the court, going through a pick or going around other players, you can experience shoulder injuries,” said Dr. Jet Liu, assistant professor in the Joseph Barnhart Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Baylor. “Shoulder dislocations are rare but a potential injury in basketball.”
Swimming primarily affects upper extremities, particularly the shoulders. The term “swimmer’s shoulder” encompasses any strain related to the shoulder, rotator cuff, labrum or surrounding muscles.
The rotator cuff is composed of four different muscles that facilitate shoulder movement in various directions. Repetitive overhead strokes often lead to shoulder impingement syndrome when the shoulder tendon becomes inflamed and squeezed between bones.
Swimmers frequently experience back issues due to constant engagement of core muscles required for propulsion through water. Lower back strain could present potential issues due to repetitive swimming strokes.
“Swimmers use their knees for these frog-kicking motions to move through water to propel forward," Liu said. "This leads to strains in the inner portion of the knee."
Gymnasts endure various injuries due to intense physical demands. Wrist strains and fractures can occur from weight-bearing handstand movements; proper technique is crucial for prevention.
Knee sprains and ligamentous tears (such as an ACL tear) result from high-impact landings from jumps and flips; these may require extensive rehabilitation or surgery. Ankle injuries are common results of landings; chronic instability may follow repeated sprains.
“Gymnasts are subjected to tremendous physical demands," Liu said." Proper technique, conditioning and preventive measures are essential."
Track and field athletes—sprinters, runners, jumpers and throwers—experience different injuries based on their events. Runners often have hamstring strains from rapid acceleration/deceleration as well as shin splints leading potentially to stress fractures with extreme overuse.
“Soft tissue tendons can become inflamed from chronic overuse,” Liu noted.
Jumpers experience patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee) due to high-impact activities while throwers face shoulder/elbow strains from repetitive throwing motions stressing arms significantly.
“All injuries can significantly impact athletes’ overall condition,” Liu stated.“It is crucial for athletes engage appropriate rehabilitation maintain peak performance levels.”
Preventing these injuries requires multifaceted approaches: warming up properly before training/competition prepares muscles/joints; stretching maintains flexibility reducing muscle strain risks; icing post-competition reduces inflammation aiding recovery; proper nutrition/rest/sleep critical allowing body repair/strengthen between sessions.
