Wrestling Injuries - A Circumvention

Introduction

Wrestling is a strenuous sport that combines strength, skill, and strategy. Wrestling is a contact sport. Thus, injuries are a high possibility. Wrestlers are susceptible to a range of possible injuries during their careers, from sprains and strains to more serious traumas.

What Types of Injuries Do Wrestlers Frequently Suffer From?

• The most frequent injuries typically result from twisting forces or direct contact between athletes. Athletes who have previously suffered an injury are more likely to do it again. This could occur if the athlete starts training again too soon.

• Close physical contact between athletes has the potential to cause acute neck injuries. Luckily, not every acute neck injury is serious.

• Situations that might result in concussions or more serious brain injuries can occur during practice sessions and contests. These are simple to overlook or ignore, but they must be treated very seriously. Any trainer should be capable of evaluating a concussion.

• The frequent punches to the ear are the cause of the cauliflower ear. A hemorrhage (bleeding) between the cartilage and the skin is not effectively absorbed since the skin is directly over the cartilage. It is necessary to drain the blood and apply pressure to the region as a result.

• Concussions (brain injury), scratches, bruises (bleeding beneath the skin as a result of injury), tongue cuts, and cauliflower ear are among the common wrestling injuries. However, knee and shoulder injuries are the ones that happen the most frequently and are the cause of surgeries and therapies.

  • Cauliflower Ear - The ear structure suffers from extensive bruising, which results in cauliflower ears. After the swelling has decreased, the wound may need to be drained and the ear covered in casting material to maintain ear form.

    • Preventive Measure - Concussions can be avoided by wearing headgear with a frontal pad that reduces the force applied to the forehead. A mouthguard can help avoid concussions in addition to significant damage to the teeth and tongue.

• Prepatella Bursitis - Inflammation of the sac (bursa) that sits in front of the patella is known as prepatellar bursitis. This region is frequently struck into the mat by wrestlers, which frequently results in severe discomfort and occasionally swelling.

  • Preventive Measures - Ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen or Asprin are used to treat it. Knee pads can be worn to lessen the impact on the front of the knee.

• Ligament Injuries - Wrestling can also result in knee ligament injuries, most frequently to the MCL (medial collateral ligament) or LCL (lateral collateral ligament). The leg frequently twists outward from the body's midline as a result of these injuries.

  • Preventive Measures - RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) can be used to treat first-degree sprains, and the player can resume play once the discomfort has subsided. Sprains of both the second and third degree require medical attention, but surgery is rarely required. Injury can be avoided by keeping the lower extremities flexible and strong in the quadriceps and hamstrings.

• Back Pain - Back pain is often encountered by wrestlers as they sustain an injury while falling on the mat.

What Are the Risk Factors for Wrestling Injuries?

• Previous Injuries - A fracture or dislocation is the type of injury that wrestlers who have already been injured are more likely to get.

• Greco-Roman Style vs. Freestyle Wrestling - Comparing Greco-Roman wrestlers to freestyle wrestlers, the risk of injury is three times higher. Unlike freestyle wrestling, which permits strikes on both the upper and lower bodies, Greco-Roman wrestling regulations forbid competitors from attacking their opponents below the waist.

• Competition - Injury rates in games might be up to five times greater than those during workouts. Injury risk can be decreased by including the right strength and balancing workouts in the training program.

• Season Matches - Pre-season injuries for wrestlers are twice as common as those that occur in the regular season. Strength and conditioning exercises should be done throughout the off-season, and the practice load should be increased progressively during the pre-season.

How the Wrestling Injuries Are Prevented?

All athletes, coaches, and trainers should prioritize injury prevention. This necessitates the use of high-quality tools, including pads, clothing, helmets, and mats. To prevent injury, the wrestler should always be instructed and watched over, with an emphasis on discipline and appropriate technique. A well-designed strengthening program carried out under appropriate supervision can aid in injury prevention and improve the athlete's performance.

• Use of Headgear - No matter how skilled an athlete is on the mat, the best way to prevent injuries is to wear the proper protective gear. When necessary, wrestlers might consider knee, ankle, and/or elbow bracing as well as headgear to prevent head and ear damage.

• Training - Prior to the start of a competitive season, athletes should be in good physical and cardiovascular form. The success and health of athletes depend on proper weight management, food, and exercise to increase strength and stamina.

• Diet and Hydration - Given the intense pressure to fit into specified weight classes, wrestlers are at a greater risk for dehydration, nutritional deficits, and electrolyte imbalances. To ensure that they get selected in this category in a healthy manner, it is crucial to discuss exercise, food, and weight objectives with a qualified specialist.

• Avoiding Certain Training and Wrestling Positions - When performing Arm Bars (exercise for shoulder joint) or Half Nelsons (by sliding the hand under the opponent's arm and locking it on the opponent's neck, the half nelson is performed with just one hand), avoiding excessive postures can help prevent elbow and shoulder problems. Meniscus and MCL tears can be avoided by reducing the amount of heavy lifting and knee bending. During games, the referee typically keeps an eye on certain postures and tries to prevent them, but not so much during practices.

• Specific Strength and Conditioning Workouts for Wrestling - The risk of injury can be lowered in wrestling by following a well-rounded training regimen. Strength training is an element of this, especially for the muscles that surround the joints that are vulnerable to injury, such as the neck, shoulder, head, ankle, and knee.

No matter how minor the damage, it should be treated as quickly as possible. For a wrestler, even a minor infection might keep them out of competition. Any injury should be reported as quickly as possible to the coach, trainer, or personal doctor so that appropriate treatment may be initiated. Since a significant portion of all injuries is caused by the aggravation of an existing injury, rehabilitation after an accident is crucial to prevent additional harm.

Conclusion

Understanding wrestling injuries is important for athletes as well as for coaches, trainers, and medical personnel that work with the athletes. To avoid, treat, and recover from these injuries as well as to ensure the long-term performance and health of wrestlers, it is important to be aware of their indications, symptoms, and effective care. Wrestling is a tough and strenuous sport, but with the appropriate information and caution, wrestlers may reduce the chances of injuries and keep thriving in their quest for perfection.