Badminton is recognized as one of the fastest sports in the world in which the players have to perform some effective moves in every direction and apply different techniques. It requires a lot of endurance, stamina, speed, flexibility, and motor skills for acceleration.
Also, it is a fun sport, but playing it wrong and applying incorrect techniques can lead you to face some severe injuries on the court.
These injuries are also caused due to previous or overuse injuries, which usually develop from repeated overhead movements.
Sometimes these injuries can be long-lasting and life-threatening
So let’s check out some of these common injuries and their preventions.
Common Badminton Injuries
1. Jumper’s Knee
Jumper’s knee, also known as Patella Tendonitis, is one of the major injuries a player faces.
It occurs when you indulge a lot of weight in your ligaments and muscles while running, jumping, or performing other quick moves on the court.
In this injury, the patellar tendons swell up, and these tendons connect the knee to the shin, which is just located beneath the knee cap.
In simple words, jumper’s knee refers to the inflammation of the patellar tendon.
And indulging more pressure on it can also result in tearing.
Players who perform higher jumps are more prone to suffer from such injury.
Preventions for Jumper’s Knee
- Perform a proper warm-up with stretching before entering the court.
- Take some rest, in case you feel pain in your knee while playing.
- Do not indulge in high pressure on your knees and feet while jumping, running, or changing directions.
- Use protective gear like knee caps while playing, as it will reduce the risk of facing the jumper’s knee.
- Add some nutritional supplements to your diet which have protein in them. It will help in strengthening your ligaments and tendons.
- Be careful while landing on the court after performing a high jump.
2. Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is another common badminton injury faced by the players on the court during their training sessions or while playing.
It can be classified as elbow pain, usually when you put extra power and pressure in your shots or continuous over-usage of the muscles around your elbow.
This injury can result in tearing and damaging the forearm muscles and tendons.
And because of it, a player has to go through immense pain and hand shivering problems while grabbing or holding any object.
Preventions for Tennis Elbow
- Stretch your muscles before entering the court and between the match during the breaks.
- Also, relax your arm muscles and take some breaks.
- Use correct gripping techniques.
- Avoid performing repetitive overhead shots.
- Use protective gear like armbands and tennis elbow straps to reduce the inflammation within the tendons.
- Also, you can perform wrist and upper forearm strengthening exercises.
3. Wrist Strain
Wrist strain is common among badminton players.
It occurs when your wrist supporting ligaments stretch beyond their limits or tears.
The main reason behind facing a wrist strain is when you twist or bend your wrist forcefully.
Such injury is commonly faced by beginners learning to hold the racket and different gripping techniques.
One suffering from such wrist injury can feel slight pain in his wrist, which can increase with time, and if not treated within time, it can lead to a hair-line fracture.
Preventions for Wrist Strain
- Use proper and correct griping techniques.
- Avoid falling and landing on your wrist.
- If you are a beginner, do not succumb to high pressure at the very start while hitting the shots.
- Add calcium and vitamin food supplements to your diet.
- Use some supportive and protective wrist gear, which helps in reducing such injuries.
4. Rotator Cuff Injury
Rotator cuff injury is one of the common upper body injuries.
It occurs when any one of the four rotator cuff muscles (Infraspinatus, Supraspinatus, Teres Minor, and Subscapularis) wrapped around the shoulder joint tears or is damaged.
The main function of this rotator cuff is to hold the upper arm in its place and helps to rotate it accordingly.
The players commonly face such injuries (between 40-50 age groups).
Preventions for Rotator Cuff Injury
- Avoid playing continuous overhead shots like smashes and clears.
- Use a shoulder brace for better support.
- Take some rest during the breaks.
- Avoid indulging in more pressure and power while performing overhead shots.
- Also, if you want to sustain joint integrity, add salmon, cherries, ginger, and pineapples to your diet.
5. Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains usually occur when your muscles or ligaments around your ankle are damaged or torn.
These damaged ligaments can cause internal bleeding within your tissues and cause swelling around your ankle.
An ankle sprain usually occurs when a player performs a wrong move, landing, jumps, or changing directions.
Rather than a badminton player, an ordinary person can also face such injury while walking on uneven surfaces or performing sudden moves.
Preventions for Ankle Sprain
- Include ankle rolls in your warm-up exercises.
- Use some protective and supportive gear like an ankle brace.
- You can also tape your ankle before entering the court, which provides amazing support.
- Opt for suitable badminton shoes.
- Try to play on an even and smooth surface.
- Stop and take a break if you feel a slight pain in your ankle while playing.
6. Blisters
Blisters are part of the skin that loosen up and fill with blood or clear fluid, which causes friction, burns, and inflammation.
These usually occur in your feet, palm, fingers, or between them.
Blisters are not life-threatening but can cause some infections or severe diseases if not treated within time.
Preventions for Blisters
- Use suitable racket grips and change them regularly.
- If you find blisters on your foot, then change your shoes and choose the right one with the right size.
- Try to keep your hands and feet dry if you want to avoid facing blisters.
- If you face blisters on your palm, finger, or foot, apply bandages or ointment to them.
7. Back Pain
Back pain is one of the common problems for badminton players, but it is also faced by players playing different sports.
It is usually caused due to overuse and pressurizing your back muscles.
Rather than this, any of your previous injuries can also cause back pain.
It affects the upper, lower, and middle parts of your back and varies in discomfort.
Preventions for Back Pain
- Stay active and eat healthily.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Maintain your posture while playing.
- Perform exercises to strengthen your muscles.
- Take regular massages.
- Perform Yoga.
- Use suitable and correct gear.
8. Collateral Ligament Injury
It occurs when any of your knee tendons or muscles are damaged or stretched and causes a lot of pain in the interior and exterior part of your knee, which even results in swelling around your knee and makes it unstable.
The main function of the collateral ligament is to keep your knee stable and prevent them from moving too far-sideways.
Such injury is commonly faced by badminton, basketball, football, and tennis players.
Preventions for Collateral Ligament Injury
- Perform proper warm-up exercises before you enter the court.
- Do not overstretch your muscles and ligaments.
- Strengthen your thigh and hip muscles.
- Try to balance your body on the court.
- Use a knee brace or caps for better support.
9. Achilles Tendons Rupture
Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most typical badminton injuries, which occurs when the Achilles tendon (the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body) tears off.
The main function of these tendons is to connect the calf muscles to the heel.
Such injury is commonly faced by a player when he puts more pressure on these muscles and over-usage these muscles.
Preventions of Achilles Tendons Rupture
- Perform a proper warm-up.
- Stretch your Achilles tendon effectively.
- Perform some lower body muscles to strengthen your calf muscles.
10. Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is the common reason behind heel pain and inflammation.
An inflammation of a thick band of tissue connects the heel bones to the toes, and these tissues run across the bottom of the foot.
The symptoms of plantar fasciitis can be seen in runners and those people who are overweight.
It is caused by performing some repetitive moves and indulging more high pressure on the arch of your foot while running, jogging, or walking.
Preventions for Planter Fasciitis
- Maintain a proper and healthy weight.
- Perform proper warm-up.
- Use well-cushioned and shock-absorbing shoes.
- Stretch your arches.
Final Thoughts
So these were some top badminton injuries commonly faced by the players on the court.
And if you ever face any of these injuries on the court, try not to panic because these injuries easily heal up within a month or two.
But if the injuries do not heal within the time, I suggest you consult with a doctor and go for proper treatment.
