Top 5 Most Common Hockey Injuries and Prevention Tips

Before you sharpen the skates and get the hockey sticks out, brush up on the most common hockey injuries and tips to minimize your risk of injury while on the ice. Take a look at our guide to help you understand what causes these types of injuries and how a sports medicine specialist can help you stay in the game.

Common Injuries Seen on the Ice
The chance of sustaining an injury depends on several factors, including the level of play, the player’s position on the team, and the type of protective equipment worn. On the ice, hockey players frequently injure:

The Shoulders

The prevalence of shoulder injuries is quite high within hockey and. can occur by taking a direct contact hit into the shoulder with another player, the boards, or the ice. An acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury is one of the most common injuries that results from hard shoulder contact and can result in a sprain or even a complete tear of the involved ligaments. Often, these injuries require a sling and time away from the ice. If these treatments don’t provide relief, your sports medicine specialist may suggest surgery.

Elbows

The tip of the elbow — called the olecranon — comes into frequent contact as well. Inflammation of this area can cause the development of bursitis — inflammation of the fluid-filled pads that cushion the joints. Pain, swelling, and limited range of motion are tell-tale signs of bursitis. Treatment for bursitis can involve taking anti-inflammatory medication, ice, and compression. Players should not return to play until the swelling has gone down because re-injury can lead to more serious elbow problems.

The Back

Players are often at risk for low-back injuries due to the forward posture of skating and frequent hyperextension when checking their opponents. Lower back pain from hockey and/or pulled muscles are the most common injuries. Stretching the hip flexors, along with strengthening the abdominal and back muscles, can help avoid these injuries.

Hips

The hip joint and groin muscles are prone to injury due to the mechanics of the skating stride. Some of the most common soft tissue injuries in hockey players include a hip flexor strain or a groin strain. A direct hit to the outside of the hip can also cause bursitis. While hip injuries can be attributed to action on the ice, underlying muscle imbalances can put athletes at higher risk of these injuries.

Knees

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is most susceptible to a sprain because of the leg position when a player pushes off the skate blade’s inside edge. Meniscus tears and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption can also occur but are less common in hockey than in other sports, such as basketball, soccer, and football.

How Can Injuries Be Prevented?
Hockey is a fast-paced game. However, the right conditioning and strength training program can help prevent the most common hockey injuries, especially in youth athletes. To help lower the risk of a hockey injury, follow these tips:

• Warm up to prepare your body for physical activity. Don’t forget to stretch your lower back, hips, and legs.
• Wear the proper protective gear designed for each position. Be sure that it fits well and is not damaged, worn-out, or undersized to prevent injuries.
• Train in the off-season to help make your body stronger, more flexible, and coordinated. Aerobic exercise, such as running or bike riding, will help build endurance during games or practices.
• Obtain a pre-season examination by an athletic trainer or physician to uncover deficiencies and learn more about prevention strategies.

These aren’t the only tips for injury prevention, though. You’ll want to maintain proper nutrition and hydration to help you perform better during training and heal faster after an injury.

Understanding how to prevent the most common hockey injuries can help you stay safe while on the ice. If you do find yourself with pain or an injury, NY Orthopedics offers multiple locations across New York and an office in New Jersey with top-level treatment to help you stay in the game. To learn more about injury prevention or make an appointment, contact us today!