Hockey is a contact sport; it is played mostly on ice and snow. Teams of five or more clash head-on and slapstick as much as they can, trying to score as many goals as possible. Despite the physical contact, most injuries in hockey occur from falls, collisions with an opponent, or being hit by a puck.
Most people associate hockey injuries with the head. According to the NHL Injury Report, over 75% of the injuries in hockey are to the head. And, as mentioned by the League, these injuries require medical attention. Some examples of head injuries in hockey include concussion and skull fractures. The risk of suffering a head injury increases with each hit to the head, and it also increases with every blow to the body. This physical contact leads to injuries all over the place, not just to the head. The biggest concern when it comes to the body is internal injuries. These are injuries to the muscles, organs, and bones inside the body. Some examples of internal injuries in hockey include ruptures and strains. Sometimes, the symptoms of an internal injury are not that obvious. One symptom that you should look out for is when an injured player appears to be in discomfort even though they are not exhibiting any outward signs of injury.
To better understand the injuries that hockey players are dealing with, let’s take a quick look at the anatomy of the lower body.
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The Knees
Unlike the head, which protects the brain, the lower body protects the rest of the body. The knees are the largest muscle group in the legs, and they are responsible for extending the spine and keeping it straight. When the knee cap is not correctly positioned, it can limit the motion of the knee joint. This may lead to injuries to the knee cap itself or surrounding areas, including bone bruising and abrasions. Some of the most common knee injuries in hockey include cartilage damage, meniscus injuries, and patellar instability. Let’s take a closer look at each of these conditions in more detail.
Cartilage Damage
The knee cartilage is a smooth coating over the ends of the bones in the knee joint. It is there to provide the knee joint with added protection and durability. Without it, the knee joint would be extremely sensitive to blows and could even be damaged by ordinary movements. Knee cartilage damage is one of the most common causes of knee pain and disability in athletes. The damage can be caused by a repetitive motion injury or a single blow to the knee. In either case, the symptoms of cartilage damage are similar: pain and stiffness in the knee.
Meniscus Injury
The meniscus is a pad of tough white muscle inside the knee that acts as a shock absorber and allows for more even distribution of weight and pressure throughout the knee. The pain that a meniscus injury causes depends on the type of injury. The most common type of meniscus injury is a meniscus tear. This is when there is a partial or complete separation of the meniscus from the tibia (shin). A meniscus tear can be caused by a heavy blow to the knee or a degenerative condition called arthritis. The symptoms of a meniscus tear include swelling, pain, and stiffness in the knee that is relieved by rest and reduced activity. Sometimes, a maniscus injury requires surgery to repair or replace the torn tissue.
Patellar Instability
The patellar tendon connects the kneecap (patella) to the tibia (shin). A strong band of fibrous tissue called the patellar tendon keeps the patella in place while allowing movement of the knee joint. The patellar tendon is very near the surface of the knee, which makes it an easy target for injury. The most common type of injury that the patellar tendon suffers from is a strain or a tear. This can happen from a fall on an icy surface or during a violent tackle in hockey. The symptoms of a patellar tendon strain include pain and swelling in the knee that is aggravated by activity and relieved by rest. A tear of the patellar tendon can be found during an x-ray or MRI scan, and it can also be the result of a violent injury such as a fall on a slippery surface or an act of violence like a tackle or a hockey hit to the knee. If a patellar tendon tear is not treated properly, it can lead to serious complications including incidences of further knee injuries and even arthritis in the future. Surgery is usually required to fix a torn patellar tendon.
As you can see, there are many different types of injuries that you can suffer from while playing hockey. This is because the game involves a lot of physical contact and strain on the body. The most common injuries are to the head and the knees. These two areas of the body take the brunt of the physical contact, and as a result, they are the most common sites of injury. Internal injuries like ruptures, strains, and tears are also common, especially in the lower body where there is more physical contact. This is why it’s recommended that you take full recovery periods after matches and follow all the instructions your team doctor gives you. If you consistently play through injuries, you will eventually suffer more serious injuries and/or damage to your career as a hockey player. So don’t be a hero and play through pain – it’s usually not a good idea.