Aging and Basketball Injuries

I'm a 40-something who still enjoys playing competitive basketball. In my advancing years, should I be worried about any increased health risks from playing this demanding sport?

Dr. Gregory P. Nicholson:

To answer your question with a question, how do your joints feel? If you're not experiencing any significant joint swelling or pain, by all means keep at it. Basketball is a great sport for not only cardiovascular health, but for muscular health as well. That being said, the sport can take its toll on your lower extremities.

If your knees and ankles are starting to give you consistent trouble, then you may want to think about switching to a "low impact" sport. At your age, it's also important to have a physical examination every year to make sure you're in top playing condition.

Treatment Options:

To help stay healthy on the court, try to maintain your conditioning throughout the year. Many injuries occur when your body is out of shape and your mind isn't cognizant of your lack of conditioning. Warm up and stretch before play and following long breaks in the action. Invest in good basketball shoes with proper support and shock absorption, and many types of ankle and knee braces are very helpful. Finally, play within yourself and understand your physical limitations. Good luck and good health!

For more information about Dr. Nicholson and the Sports Medicine physicians of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, call 877 MD BONES or contact us through this Web site.

This information is not intended as a substitute for the professional advice of your physician, nor to be a complete description of every aspect of a condition, nor a complete list of possible side effects of any medication. Decisions concerning your treatment should be based on your own health care provider's evaluation of your personal health history and current condition. Consult your physician before following any of the suggestions on this Web site. All articles on this Web site represent the personal opinions of the individual authors and should not be construed as official policy of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.