Common Wrestling Injuries (And How to Avoid Them)
Wrestling is an intense and demanding sport that can often result in injuries such as strains, sprains, and other injuries. As with any sport, using proper safety gear and practicing good techniques can help reduce the risk of injuries during wrestling.
At Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation, we have extensive experience treating sports-related injuries and can help you heal and recover from a wrestling injury. Keep reading to learn more about the most common wrestling injuries and how to best avoid them.
Most Common Wrestling Injuries
While more serious wrestling injuries can occur, the most common wrestling injuries are not serious and are like injuries that occur in other sports including:
Bruises and Contusions
Sprains and Strains
Overtraining Syndrome
Dehydration
Muscle Soreness
Bruises and Contusions
Take-downs, sparring, and hard landings can all result in bruises and contusions.
Sprains and Strains
Two sprains that often occur in wrestling include:
Ankle sprains: These sprains occur when there is stretching or tearing of the ligaments in the ankle joint.
Wrist sprains: falling or landing hard on the hands is common for wrestlers.
To prevent strains and sprains, wrestlers should stretch their ankles before a match to promote flexibility within the ligaments.
Overtraining Syndrome
Overtraining syndrome occurs in athletes who train beyond their body’s ability to heal and recover.
Dehydration
Remember: your body needs proper hydration at all times. Dehydration is a serious problem that many wrestlers deal with when trying to “make weight” for a match.
Muscle Soreness
Muscle soreness from a tough workout or competition usually manifests within 12-48 hours and rest is often all that is needed to recover.
Ready to get back to the mat? Our physical therapist and medical personal trainer at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation can help you rebuild and regain strength so you can get back to wrestling! Call (813) 422-5671 today!
Serious Wrestling Injuries
Wrestlers can sustain serious injuries to the shoulder, elbow, knee, and neck.
Shoulder Injuries
Most shoulder injuries that wrestlers are subject to are caused by leverage and twisting during a competition. Common shoulder injuries include:
Shoulder separation
Shoulder dislocation
Impact with the mat, restrictive holds, and twists of the arms and torso can cause the shoulder to become dislocated during wrestling. Connective tendons and ligaments can also be damaged or torn.
To prevent shoulder injuries from occurring, flexibility, stretching, and strength training are necessary.
Knee Injuries
Injury to the ligaments of the knee is common in wrestlers. Two of the most common ligament injuries are ACL tears and MCL tears.
To prevent injury to the knee ligaments, it is recommended that wrestlers perform targeted strength-training exercises to increase the strength of the ligaments and other connective tissue in the knees. Stretching before and after wrestling is also advised to loosen tight ligaments.
Prepatellar Bursitis of the Patella
Trauma, wear, and overuse can cause the bursa sac in the kneecap (the front of the patella) to swell and is known as prepatellar bursitis. The stress of wrestling and traumatic impact on the knees can make wrestlers especially prone to this form of bursitis which causes symptoms such as sharp pain and swelling.
To prevent the onset of prepatellar bursitis, knee pads are recommended to help absorb impact to the front of the patella. If swelling of the kneecap has already begun, R.I.C.E (rest, icing, compression, elevation) and anti-inflammatory medication are recommended.
Elbow Dislocation
During wrestling maneuvers, elbows come under tremendous strain and dislocations often occur during takedowns as a wrestler braces for a fall.
Neck Injury
The cervical vertebrae of the neck are often forced into vulnerable positions during wrestling and can result in neck injuries including:
Neck strain
Whiplash
Cervical fractures
MORE > Exercise After Injury: A Medical Trainers Guide to Coming Back Safely
Other Common Wrestling Injuries
While these injuries may not be as common as the above injuries, many wrestlers are likely to encounter the following injuries at one time or another:
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendon rupture
Ankle sprains
Clavicle fracture
Concussion
Finger fractures
Groin pulls
Hamstring strain or tear
Iliotibial band syndrome
Meniscus tears
Strained calf muscle
Wrist sprains
Wrist tendinitis
Reducing Wrestling Injuries
Because wrestling requires such a high degree of flexibility, strength, and proper technique, athletes need to follow basic safety precautions and have proper coaching or instruction.
To enhance safety when wrestling:
Train with a qualified coach who specializes in proper wrestling techniques and safety.
Avoid dangerous holds or slamming moves.
Avoid dramatic weight loss or weight cutting strategies
Maintain proper nutrition throughout the season
Wear appropriate safety gear such as headgear and mouthguards
Recover and Heal from Injury
If you are suffering from any of the above wrestling injuries, contact our team at Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation for the most effective recovery available. Our specialists are trained in sports physical therapy, muscle activation techniques, and medical exercise training to help you heal and recover from an injury.
Recover and come back stronger with Dynamic Fitness & Rehabilitation in Tampa, FL! We work with local and national athletes to rehab and activate their muscles to increase sports performance. Call us for a consultation today— (813) 422-5671.