Hand Injuries (Thumb Sprain)

(www.med.umich.edu)

Hand injuries and finger sprains are extremely common while playing volleyball. When blocking or hitting it is easy to contact the ball awkwardly and hurt fingers. It happens to the best of us. Here's how to deal with it. :)

Symptoms: Pain when the thumb or finger is bent backwards, pain in the web of the finger when it is moved, swelling, muscle weakness


Anatomy: Metacarpo-phalangeal joint (the lowest joint of the finger where it connects with the hand)


Treatment: Rest, a proper tape technique to support the joint, ice, compression, and mobilization exercises to keep the muscle from atrophying


Prevention: the only "prevention" really is to work on strengthening exercises to prevent re-injury and increase stability

That was easy! A hand injury shouldn't keep you out too long, if at all :)

(Volleyball Shoulder)

(img.medscape.com)

A common injury for avid volleyball players is... *drum roll please* Volleyball Shoulder! Go figure. The medically correct name for this is Suprascapular Neuropathy. It is thought to be caused by float serving because a player must stop their follow through directly after contact for the best effect.


Symptoms: Common symptoms include a report of deep, dull, aching pain, weakness or lack of endurance when preforming overhead sports specific activities, pain when stretching your arm across your body, and pain caused by pressure. It often seems at first like a rotator cuff problem and can sometimes be mistreated.


Human Anatomy Involved: The suprascapular nerve in the Brachial Plexus of your shoulder. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves running out along the shoulder and down the arm a little past the shoulder.


Treatment: Rest and ice is all you can really do for it. A sports injury specialist though can put you on a rehab program involving exercises for shoulder stability and rotator cuff strength. They can also help you modify your activities to decrease symptoms and pain.


Prevention: There is no solid evidence as to what could prevent this injury. Medical experts are not even sure exactly what causes the injury. The only thing to do really is to stop float serving. Try using a top spinning serve with a full follow through.

Rotator Cuff Tear

(www.mydr.com.au)

A rotator cuff tear is very common in many sports where your arm is above your head a lot. "Wow! My arm is above my head a lot in volleyball!" Yeah... it happens a lot to volleyball players. :) Here is some basic information to help you identify, treat, and prevent rotator cuff injuries.


Symptoms: Pain on the outside of the shoulder and upper arm, pain when lifting the arm above your head, and general pain in the evening and night. Decreased strength when pushing outward and raising the arm. A doctor would be able to target the location of your tear based on where your weakness is centralized. People who have torn their rotator cuff often complain that combing their hair and reaching behind their back is especially difficult.


Muscles involved: Infraspinatus, teres minor, and supraspinatus


Treatment: Rest and ice for 2-4 days during the acute stage of the injury. Apply heat later. A sports injury specialist might prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, apply ultrasound or laser treatment, and use massage and stretching techniques. They would also be able to put you on a rehab program that incorporates stretches and exercises for quicker recovery.


Prevention: Proper strength training is key here. Make sure you incorporate outward rotation exercises using elastic or light weights. Always make sure you stretch adequately before playing as well.