5 Injuries Hockey Players Sustain More Than Any Other Sport

Any individual who plays hockey, whether professionally or as a hobby, knows that injury is part of the game. Just like football or basketball, accidents happen and just can’t be avoided. However, hockey presents a unique set of common injuries that aren’t seen in other sports as frequently. Five of those injuries and information about how they occur can be found below.

Concussions

Hundreds of hockey players suffer concussions every year. Any trauma to the head causes these, such as being hit by a hockey stick or run into by another player. Just like with other hockey injuries, this is one that should be addressed immediately, even if the player feels fine.

Broken Teeth

With pucks flying at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and no masks on their faces, it’s easy to see why so many hockey players have missing or broken teeth. While this can certainly get in the way of the perfect smile, having a loss of teeth isn’t all that bad. Cosmetic dentists can help restore that smile with solutions such as dentures or dental implants. According to Nevada Oral & Facial Surgery, dental implants offer multiple treatment options for patients with one or many missing teeth.

MCL Injuries (Medial Collateral Ligament)

This injury is one of the most significant. It is caused by the ligament inside of the knee becoming overstretched. If the injury occurred as a result of a fall, hitting another player, or any other type of impact, it’s generally a contact injury. If it happened due to a quick change in direction, it’s usually a non-contact injury. Physical therapy and rest are both necessary parts of healing this.

AC Joint Injury (Acromioclavicular Joint)

Also known as a shoulder separation, this happens typically when players are directly hit by other players or when they run into the ice/boards with a lot of force. The degree of the injury can vary from a mild sprain to a severe tear, which a specialist will diagnose. Rest and physical therapy are important parts of healing from hockey injuries such as this. RCPT explains that physical therapy typically involves a combination of low impact aerobic training, strength exercises, and stretches designed to improve your range of motion.

Groin Pull

This injury can be caused by turning too quickly, moving with too much force, or unnaturally twisting the body. This twisting can stretch and can sometimes even tear the groin muscle tissue, requiring rest and cold therapy to recover.

Understanding the Risk

Anyone who plays hockey should know the risk of injury before they get out on the ice. While this is no doubt one of the most action-packed sports out there, it can be dangerous to play. Fortunately, with training, stretching, and dedication to staying fit, many of these risks can be significantly minimized.