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While there are gear and regulation differences between men and women’s lacrosse, the game’s fast-paced nature makes it an accident-prone sport regardless of the varying rules. Injuries, especially musculoskeletal ones, are common in lacrosse, but there are precautions you can take to avoid them.

Common Lacrosse Injuries

Sprains and strains

From running and cutting through the field, sprains and strains in the leg, ankle, and even the hips are the most common lacrosse injuries. With stick handling and fast passes, lacrosse players also frequently experience wrist sprains and strains.

Hand and wrist fractures

If lacrosse players make direct contact, either by running into each other or checking one another with their sticks, hand and wrist fractures are possible. Women lacrosse players have higher fracture rates, too, since their sport requires less padding than men’s lacrosse.

Lower back pain

Like many other sports, too much physical exertion during practice or games will put strain on the back muscles and cause soreness, strain, or even fractures.

Lacrosse Injury Prevention 

Wear gear that fits and protects you

As a full-contact sport, helmets, mouth guards, and body pads are necessary for men’s lacrosse, whereas only eyewear and mouth guards are required for non-contact women’s lacrosse. To reduce the chances of injury, high-quality and well-fitted gear is a must for safer game play.

Take warming up seriously

To decrease your chances of gameplay injury, find a warm up routine that works for you. You can try stretching, jogging, or low-intensity lacrosse drills. Getting your body ready for practice or a game will increase your flexibility and blood flow as well as prepare your muscles for intense play.

Train on the off-season

By practicing your stickhandling, passes, and agility in the off-season, your improved form will reduce stress on the body when the time comes to get back on the lacrosse field. Ultimately, proper training will help you to not get hurt during the game.

Know your limits

While it is important to push yourself to be a better lacrosse player, don’t overexert your body to the point of pain. Rest is as important an activity, and it plays a big role in recovery and injury prevention.

How To Recover from Common Lacrosse Injuries

If you’ve experienced a major lacrosse injury, sports medicine professionals can help you in your recovery. At Orthopaedic Associates of St. Augustine, our team of sports medicine specialists is proud to help patients regain mobility and get them back to carrying out everyday tasks. Request an appointment online today or please give us a call at 904-825-0540.

Alexander Lampley, MD
Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

 

 

Casey McClone, MD
Board Certifications in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. Dr. McClone specializes in treating musculoskeletal pain for patients of all ages with ultra-sound guided injections.