Hockey Helmets

Common Ice Hockey Pain and Injuries

Statistics indicate that the large majority of ice hockey injuries are caused by direct trauma during games. Hard body checks, player collisions, forced collisions with the walls and ice, and direct blows from the puck, flying sticks and skates all add up to injuries and underscore the inherent danger of ice hockey.

• Sprains and Strains
  Sprains and strains are the most common type of hockey injury. The best immediate treatment for sprains and strains is the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).
• Cuts and Lacerations
  Cuts and scrapes to the head and face also top the list of hockey injuries, but using helmets with a full face shield has reduced the severity and frequency of these injuries.
• Bruises and Contusions
  Flying skaters, sticks and pucks, along with the many collisions on the ice frequently leave hockey players tending a variety of bruises and contusions.
• Muscle Cramps
  A cramp is a sudden, intense pain caused by a muscle involuntary and forcibly contracting muscle that does not relax.
• Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness
  This is the sort of muscle soreness experienced from 12 to 48 hours following a tough workout or game. Getting enough rest often is all you need to recover.
• Overtraining Syndrome
  Overtraining syndrome frequently occurs in athletes who train beyond the body's ability to recover.

Head, Neck and Shoulder Injuries from Hockey

• black eye
• concussion
• fractured clavicle (shoulder)
• torn rotator cuff
• shoulder separation
• shoulder dislocation
• whip lash
• neck strain
• burner or stinger of the neck

Knee and Leg Injuries from Hockey

• anterior and posterior cruciate ligament (ACL/PCL) injurie
• injuries to the meniscus
• groin pull
• hamstring pull, tear, or strain>
• iliotibial band syndrome
• pulled or strained calf muscle
• shin splints
• sprains and strains
• hip pointer injury

Foot and Ankle Injuries from Hockey

• ankle sprains
• Achilles tendinitis
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Blisters

Hand Injuries from Hockey

• wrist sprains
• finger fractures
• wrist tendinitis

Back Injuries from Hockey

• muscle strains of the back
• low back pain
• herniated disks
• backaches and stress

Tips for Preventing Ice Hockey Injuries

Experts agree that wearing appropriate safely equipment -- such as helmets, mouth guards, and protective pads -- can reduce the risk of serious ice hockey injuries.

Ice hockey is a fast moving contact sport played on ice. Collisions between players, the rink and the ice are common, but wearing properly fitting safety equipment and gear can reduce the severity and incidence of many of the most common hockey injuries.

The well-dressed hockey player wears head-to-toe protection including certified safety equipment and well-fitting gear. Hockey helmets with a face shield, mouth guards, hip, shoulder and knee pads, chest protectors, gloves, as well as the right hockey skates and sticks are all essential equipment for both recreational and professional hockey players.

Hockey Helmets

© Pricegrabber

A large number of hockey injuries involve the head and face. Lacerations, concussions, and mouth and jaw injuries can be reduced by wearing properly fitted helmets with face masks. Look for a hockey helmet approved by the HECC (Hockey Equipment Certification Council) or the CAHA (Canadian Amateur Hockey Association). A helmet should fit snugly and have an adjustable chin strap should keep the helmet from moving forward, backward or side to side. Always wear a face shield or mask with your helmet. Some popular hockey helmet brands include: CCM, Bauer equipment, Jofa and Itech.

Concussion

Athletes may suffer a concussion without getting "knocked out" (loss of consciousness). Players, coaches, and parents should be aware of the typical symptoms and signs, including "not feeling right" and headache. Any player experiencing symptoms or displaying signs of a concussion should not return to play and should be medically evaluated.

Shoulder Injuries

The most common shoulder injuries in hockey are a shoulder separation and a broken collarbone. These injuries occur from direct contact of the shoulder with another player, the boards, or the ice. Treatment can include a sling, rest and in serious cases surgery.

Elbow Injuries

The point of the elbow is a frequent area of contact, which can result in the development of bursitis. Thick and scarred bursal tissue (which feels like bone chips, but isn't) can be a source of recurrent inflammation. The best prevention method is wearing elbow pads that fit well and have an opening for the elbow, soft padding, and a plastic outer shell.

Wrist Injuries

A fall on the outstretched arm or contact with the boards that forces the wrist up or down may cause a fracture. Players should try bracing themselves against the boards using their forearms instead of their hands.

Back Injuries

Hockey players are at risk for low-back injuries due to the flexed (forward) posture of skating and the frequent hyperextension (backward) stress. Low-back pain and/or a pulled muscle are the most common injuries. Stretching of the hip flexors along with strengthening of the back and abdominal muscles will help avoid these injuries.

Hip Injuries

The hip joint and groin muscles are susceptible to injury due to the mechanics of the skating stride. Some of the most common soft tissue injuries in hockey players include a groin strain and a hip flexor strain. Off-season strengthening and dedicated stretching before and after practice are important to prevent these injuries. In addition, a direct blow to the outside of the hip can cause a hip pointer or trochanteric bursitis. Hockey pants with reinforced padding over these vulnerable areas may help protect them.

Knee Injuries

The medial collateral ligament is most susceptible to a sprain because of the leg position—pushing off the inside edge of the skate blade—and contact to the outside of the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption and meniscus tears (torn cartilage) can also occur but are less common in hockey than in other sports such as football, soccer, and basketball.

Дата добавления: 2015-10-24