Hockey is a high-impact sport that can lead to a variety of injuries. Some of the most common injuries that occur in hockey players include:
Knee Sprain/ Ligament tears
Injury to the medial collateral ligament(MCL) is a common knee injury with hockey. Anterior Cruciate Ligament(ACL) strain and meniscus tears are less common than other sports but do still occur with hockey.
Groin Sprain
Groin injuries are one of the top two most common hockey injuries. They can occur with overstriding or from a sudden forceful start or stop while skating.
Shoulder Separation/Dislocation
Injuries to the AC joint and clavicle( collar bone) are common shoulder injuries with hockey due to the frequent checking and hitting against boards. Broken collar bones and shoulder separations are often the result of direct contact with other players, the ice or the boards.
Ankle Sprains
Ankle sprains can occur with directional changes while skating. Advancements in skate design have reduced the number of ankle injuries with hockey.
Concussions
Concussions are one of the most common hockey injuries suffered by hockey players and occur when the players strike another player or the ice with their head. Most concussions do not involve loss of consciousness but common symptoms may be dizziness, inability to focus, headaches and emotional irritability.
Dental injuries and Facial Lacerations
Many feel the most common hockey injury is lacerations to the head and face.Although mandatory helmets and face masks help protect the player, there are still many opportunities to be hit in the face by a puck, a hockey stick or another player.
It is important for hockey players to wear proper protective gear, including helmets, mouthguard, and padding, in order to reduce their risk of injury. Additionally, players should warm up properly before games and practices and follow proper training and conditioning protocols to help prevent injuries.
If you have experienced a hockey injury or any other sports injury, call us at the Durham Orthopedic and Sports Injury Clinic, 905-428-7800, to have one of our physiotherapists get you on the path to recovery.
