Physio Sessions Online
Dr. online consultation
+91 9910302876
Timings

Squash Injuries

 
Squash is an indoor racquet game that is played in a four-walled court. Its a high intensity sports.
 
Since players are active for up to 70 per cent of the game, you need to have a general level of fitness. When you start to play squash, it’s best to begin with a modified game (for example racquetball) to develop fitness and skills. While the risk of injury from playing squash isn’t as high as in other sports, injuries that do occur tend to be serious.

Need Help?

Just make an appointment to get help from our experts

Common Squash injuries include:

 

  • Muscle strains and sprains – particularly to the arms, legs and lower back. These injuries are often not severe but can limit game performance.
  • Fall injuries – from falling or slipping on court.
  • Impact injuries – for example, getting hit with a ball or a racquet or crashing into a wall.
  • Head and eye injuries – getting hit by a ball or racquet.
  • Heat stress – symptoms include dizziness and drop in performance.
  • Overuse injuries – such as tendonitis of the elbow (‘tennis elbow’).

Risk factors

 
Some of the factors that may increase your risk of injury include:
 

  • Age – people aged over 40, mainly males, are at risk of injury. This is usually because older players are often in poor physical condition before they play.
  • Poor fitness level – a general level of fitness is required to play squash.
  • Poor technique – puts unnecessary strain on joints and muscles; for example, holding the racquet incorrectly can cause stress to the wrist.
  • Lack of protective equipment – neglecting to wear protective equipment, such as eyewear, can lead to severe eye injuries.
  • Prior injuries – squash can exacerbate previous injuries, particularly those of the ankle.
  • Time spent playing – people who compete or play frequently are at high risk of overuse injuries.

What to do if you injure yourself

 

  • Stop playing immediately if an injury occurs to prevent further damage. Playing through the pain will only aggravate the injury.
  • Seek prompt medical treatment of injury. Early management will mean less time away from squash.
  • Treat all soft tissue injures (ligament sprains, muscle strains, bumps and bruises) with rest, ice, compression, elevation (raise the limb above your heart) and seek advice from a health professional.
  • Stop playing immediately if you have symptoms of serious injury (for example heart condition). Get medical treatment if you experience these symptoms.
  • Do not resume activity until you have fully recovered from injury.
  • Players with a history of joint injury (for example ankle & Knee) should seek medical advice about taping or bracing their joint before playing.
  • It is important to find the cause of any injury, so you can take steps to address the problem.

Eye injuries

 

Squash is a high-risk activity for eye injuries. In severe cases, if the squash ball hits hard enough, it can burst the eyeball, which can result in the loss of the injured eye.

 

Suggestions include:

 

  • Always wear appropriate eye protection that satisfies international standards, regardless of your skill or fitness levels.
  • See your optometrist for advice on eye protection appropriate to your vision.
  • If you have an eye injury, seek urgent medical attention.
  • If in doubt about the severity of an eye injury, seek medical attention.
  • Sit upright or in a semi-sitting position while waiting for the ambulance.
  • To treat a black eye, apply cold compresses to the closed eye. Don’t putice on the eyeball itself.