Common Cricket Injuries Part 2

Over the past few blogs we have examined some specific injuries that are more common in summer. Now our Physio's will be taking you through summer sports and the injuries that are most common in those sports. In our previous blog we examined cricket players and common knee and foot pain. This time around we will examine lower back and shoulder injuries.

Lower Back Pain

Arguably the most common injury that Cricketers present with is lower back related. Whether that being true lower back pain or the back as a source of referred pain into the hips or legs. As we know, no lower back is the same, therefore each player in your cricket team will have a different presentation.

With regards to fast bowlers, stress fractures are unfortunately fairly common. This is mostly due to the repetitive rotation and extension activities which is essentially what the fast bowling action is. These movements load up on the pars interarticularis and result in one sided lower back pain. Naturally these are more common in young fast bowlers when the vertebrae are still immature. Management of this type of condition will almost always involve a period of rest to offload the back.

For cricketers in general, the back can tighten up in the field or when batting. This is largely due to the proportion of time that the lumbar spine spends in extension. When Physio’s talk about back movements we mainly consider flexion and extension. Standing, walking and running are all extension based activities, whereas sitting or bending down are flexion activities. The reason the prolonged standing is problematic is because the majority of us spend our weeks in flexion based activities such as sitting at a desk or on the couch after work! Our Physiotherapists will guide you to making lifestyle and ergonomic changes to improve the flexion / extension balance of your lumbar spine. In addition, we will ensure the appropriate hands on treatment is delivered and that you have some exercises to do before and during cricket to maintain that balance in your lower back.

Shoulder injuries

The most common shoulder injury that occurs in cricketers is Subacromial impingement. Subacromial Impingement rarely occurs when the shoulder joint is working well, however, it is prominent when the rotator cuff tendons are inflamed and rub on the tissue inside the shoulder joint.

The rotator cuff consists of four muscles that surround the shoulder joint, allowing movement of the shoulder as well as stabilisation during movement, especially bowling and throwing a cricket ball. If these muscles become overused and inflamed there is less available space inside the shoulder joint for the tendons to pass through. As a result, the tendons rub on the acromion of the shoulder joint. This rubbing is what causes the pain when you lift your arm above your head.

Management of impingement in cricketers is no different to that of swimmers or other throwing athletes. Initially reducing the inflammation is our goal, this is done with soft tissue release to the rotator cuff either with massage or dry needling. Ice and stretches are also advised for at home. The next phase of the rehab is simple scapula stabilization activities building towards being able to control the scapula under sport specific loads such as throwing and bowling a cricket ball. If you have any questions about how our Physiotherapists can help you or your cricket team please don’t hesitate to contact us at the clinic