Basketball: Biomechanics and Imaging Findings of Common Injuries.

Abstract

Basketball is a high-intensity sport associated with a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries, most commonly involving the lower extremities. These injuries frequently result from high-impact loading, rapid directional changes, and biomechanical inefficiencies such as poor neuromuscular control and abnormal movement patterns. Although acute injuries often occur through noncontact mechanisms during play, direct contact injuries have become more common over the years. Overuse injuries are also frequent in basketball and may develop silently and progress over time. Imaging plays a vital role in diagnosis, injury staging, treatment planning, and monitoring return-to-play readiness. This review explores the epidemiology, biomechanics, and imaging findings of common basketball-related injuries: ankle sprains, anterior cruciate ligament tears, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendon ruptures, and stress fractures.