Injury Analysis

Sports injuries in volleyball will often take place an effect on the athlete’s ability to

perform at their best, and may even have an impact on daily life. Common injury sites for

volleyball athletes include: shoulder, elbow, waist, knee, ankle, wrist, and fingers. These injuries

often occur in the soft tissue, such as muscle contusion, ligaments, and joint sprains. (12).

Some of the most common injuries affecting volleyball players involve the glenuhumeral

joint. These injuries are often associated with frequent spiking and serving motions that require

dynamic stabilization. Muscular imbalances increase the likelihood of sustaining an injury (29).

Rotator cuff tendonitis is often associated with volleyball players. During both serving and

spiking these muscles can get irritated or fatigued with overuse. Finger injuries are often

associated with this sport due to blocking, digging, setting. These injuries can range from tendon

and ligament tears, to fractures, and dislocation. Another joint that can suffer from overuse or

from possibly spiking, blocking or digging is the acromioclavicular joint. This joint possesses a

lot of wear and tear from overhead use and possibly falls. An injury within this joint a lot of

times calls for rehabilitation and time away from the game. The low back is also a regular source

of chronic pain to players. This is most likely related to muscle ligament strain.

Lower body injuries associated with volleyball include patellar tendonitis, ACL injury,

and ankle sprains. Patellar tendonitis is described as inflammation of the tendon that connects the

kneecap to the tibia. Any athlete who is involved with repetitive, forceful jumping activities,

such as spiking and blocking are at risk of this injury. ACL injuries in volleyball players tend to

transpire when a player lands awkwardly after jumping. This is especially common in female

athletes. There are available training techniques to decrease the risk of an ACL injury/tear in

jumping athletes. Ankle injuries are the most common injury to volleyball players and

consequently are accountable for the most lost playing time. Return to play is only allowed once

the athletes goes through sufficient rehabilitation and shows that they are able to support their

body weight while standing in the toes (17, 3).

Extras:

Overuse injuries- this occurs over time due to stress on the muscles, joints, and soft tissues

without allowing sufficient or proper time for healing.

Rotator Cuff Tendinitis- Inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons and the bursa that

surrounds these tendons. This type of injury can occur when you do repetitive overhead

activities, such as serving, blocking and spiking in volleyball.

Frozen Shoulder- This condition causes restriction of motion and pain in the shoulder

joint. It causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to contract and form scar tissue,

which further reduces mobility.

Patella Tendinitis (Jumpers Knee) - This injury that affects the tendon connecting your

kneecap to your shinbone. This is due to repetitive jumping.

Low Back Pain- This pain is usually related to muscle or ligament strain. This mainly

happens in the back row players due to the stance they have to be in to complete a pass to

the setter.

Shin Splints- The most common cause is inflammation of the periosteum of the tibia. In

order to reduce the pain, the use of active rest, ice, stretching and wraps are beneficial.

Acute Traumatic Injuries- This occurs due to sudden force impact, it can be quite dramatic.

Torn Rotator Cuff- This can be partial tears and swelling in the tendons of the rotator

cuff. It can also occur when the tendons have pulled away from the bone or have a tear in

the middle of the tendon.

Torn ACL- The anterior cruciate ligament is ruptured or torn during an activity that

overstretches the ligament. Those activities might include movements that require

sudden stopping or a direct impact to the knee in the stable stance. An injury to the ACL

is commonly diagnosed the athlete's knee has given out from under them or severe pain

on bending.

Ankle Sprains- This injury often occurs when a player lands on the side of their ankle and

it rolls too far outward. Consequently, the ligaments connecting bones and supporting

the ankle are stretched and torn.

Finger Jams- This injury can be considered as a minor impact injury of the ligaments, or

resulting in a broken finger.

Hamstring Tears- These injuries occur in the large muscles of the back of the leg. Muscle

tears can be easily prevented by proper and appropriate stretching.