Knee and Thigh Injuries : Cricket Injuries

Cricket players are prone to injuring their knees during fielding when rapid stress is placed on the knee joint or thigh muscles. Leaping to catch the ball can overextend muscles, falling on the kneecap can injure bone or cartilage, being hit by a flying ball can fracture bones or rupture thigh tendons, and repetitive strains can pull tendons attaching thigh muscle to knee bones or tear ligaments connecting thigh and knee bones together.

Symptoms of Knee and Thigh Injuries

The knee becomes unstable with pain when a ligament is stretched or torn, making it difficult for the cricketer to walk on the affected leg. If a tendon is torn, then the knee or thigh will swell with a burning sensation causing stiffness and pain in bending the leg. A knee that locks in position when moving can be due to damaged cartilage. A knee jerked out of joint will look distorted and swollen causing pain and muscle spasms. Similarly, a fracture will have a protruded swelling in the bone break area with bruising, muscle spasms and intense pain. If a nerve is trapped in the thigh to knee region, the thigh muscle will feel weak with tingling.

Causes of Knee and Thigh Injuries

Cricket players experience knee and thigh injury from twisting or overstretching the knee and thigh during batting, bowling or fielding. These activities can tear a ligament or tendon attaching the thigh bones and muscles to the knee joint when contracting or extending the leg. Falling or being hit by a cricket ball can cause bone fractures or excessive bruising and tendon rupture. Typically, not warming up adequately before the cricket game, using cricket techniques that improperly shift body weight, dehydration, weak diet, inappropriate sports shoes and lack of protective equipment, are among sources of cricket injuries.

Medical Treatment of Knee and Thigh Injuries

If a player is injured during a game of cricket with swelling and pain to the knee or thigh, and limited use of the leg, it is advised to stop and rest the leg. Apply ice to the wound, compress the knee or thigh by bandage or tape to support the leg, and keep the leg raised to lower swelling and inflammation. A painkiller like Ibuprofen may help to reduce pain. If after a couple of days, the pain and swelling persists, or if the injury is severe, the player should be examined by a medical doctor. Physiotherapists can treat pulled muscles or ligament sprains, but if torn or with tendon rupture or bone fracture, X-ray or MRI scan of the leg is needed to determine extent of damage and further treatment. When injury to the knee or thigh is severe, a doctor may recommend surgery.

Preventing Knee and Thigh Injuries

Tailored exercise programmes, including diet plans, can assist in strengthening the thigh and knee to reduce risk of injury. Wearing a knee guard or brace and supportive cricket shoes with orthotics can protect against injuries resulting from falls, being hit by a cricket ball, or support rapid movement changes. Adequate fluid intake and warming up before exercises facilitates muscle flexibility. Physiotherapists or sports professionals can suggest appropriate cricket game cycles and resting with non-invasive cold or warm therapies to relax the legs after games.