Historically, baseball has been considered a non-contact sport, but with the advent of faster pitches and increased speed, players are being hit in the head more often. Major League Baseball has taken steps to address concussions in baseball, establishing a graduated return to play protocol for concussed players.
Despite being a slow-moving sport, baseball players can be at risk for stress fractures. These overuse injuries are typically progressive and are caused by repetitive muscle contraction. The cumulative microstructural damage caused by these injuries results in angular stresses on the bone.
Fractures
Among professional baseball players, the most common fractures occur in the wrist and hand. Wrist fractures are often a result of being hit by a pitch. These injuries represent 65% of all fractures while batting.
Wrist fractures are also often a result of repetitive trunk muscle contraction. This resulting angular stress on the bone is thought to be the reason for the medical marvel that is a stress fracture.
Stress fractures are more common in repetitive athletes who have little time to rest between games or seasons. They also have an increased risk of recurrence.
Despite their name, stress fractures are less dramatic than other fractures. They usually occur in the leg or foot.
Concussions
In a study of baseball players, the number of concussions increased every year from 2009 to 2012. The rule change also increased the number of days on the disabled list. In the first three years after the change, players spent 15 days on the DL, compared to seven days in 2009. In the second three years after the rule change, players spent less time on the DL.
Concussions are a type of mild traumatic brain injury. They occur when the head hits an object, jolts against the skull, or is shaken violently. Symptoms can vary from mild to life-threatening. In extreme cases, a traumatic brain injury can cause dementia.
Concussions in baseball are common, but players should be aware of the signs of concussion. If a player shows any symptoms of a concussion, he or she should be removed from play. If the symptoms persist, a doctor should be consulted. A CT scan can determine the severity of a traumatic brain injury. A doctor may also recommend overnight observation.
Bottom Line
The best way to prevent fractures in baseball is to practice safe habits. This includes taking breaks from the game, protecting yourself from collisions with other players, and protecting the area where you are injured. You also need to take a variety of medications and supplements to ensure your recovery is as speedy as possible. One of these is by taking cannabinoids. Start your journey into medical cannabis by simply purchasing seeds from one of the top seed banks and grow your own weeds.