Wrestling Injuries

Injuries are common with wrestling’s physical demands and forceful, direct contact. But an injury doesn’t have to stop you from reaching your goals. Experts at Henry Ford Health can help you bounce back and make the most of your season.

Wrestling injury causes

Wrestling can lead to injuries all over the body, and there are many potential causes. These include:

• Blow to the head
• Collision with an opponent
• Getting pinned or thrown to the mat
• Hard landing that may rotate extremities away from the body
• Overtraining
• Skin-to-skin contact

Wrestling injuries we treat

We treat common and complex wrestling injuries, including:

• Bleeding in the cartilage of the ear (auricular hematoma) caused by a direct hit, which may lead to cauliflower ear
• Concussions
• Facial lacerations and contusions
• Knee issues such as ligament sprains or tears, bruising and dislocations
• Neck strain and whiplash
• Overuse injuries including tendonitis and apophysitis
• Shoulder issues, including dislocations, separations and rotator cuff tears or strains
• Sprains affecting the ankles or wrists

Wrestlers are also at risk for problems due to skin-to-skin contact that include:

• Infection
• Rashes
• Ringworm
• Staph infections

Wrestling injury treatment

Wrestling injury treatments may include:

• Injury protection: A brace or splint may be necessary to stabilize the injury. This removable device also protects the area from moving in a way that slows your recovery.
• Concussion care: Our team includes internationally renowned concussion experts. We quickly determine the severity of the injury and develop a personalized recovery plan.
• Minimally invasive tendon care: A Tenex procedure to remove damaged tissue may help you avoid surgery for tendon pain. It requires no anesthesia and leaves a tiny scar for a quicker recovery.
• Physical therapy: Our physical therapists guide you through exercises that increase strength and range of motion. They also teach you techniques that reduce strain on injured areas.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: This option is for injuries that do not respond to standard treatments. It starts by taking a sample of your blood and collecting platelets, which have healing properties. We then inject the platelets into the injured tissue.
• Skin treatments: You may need stitches for deep cuts and lacerations. If you have a rash, infection or ringworm, medications may be necessary.
• Surgery: Severe injuries like rotator cuff tears and ligament ruptures often require surgery. Trusted surgeons on our orthopedic sports medicine team use leading techniques and maintain high success rates.

Wrestling injury prevention

To reduce your risk of wrestling injuries and skin issues:

• Always wear protective headgear, a mouth guard, ear coverings and knee pads.
• Maintain a healthy weight and do not take drastic measures to qualify for a lower weight class.
• Sanitize mats and take a shower after each practice.
• Seek treatment if something doesn’t feel right, which may prevent minor injuries from worsening

Wrestling injury care: Why choose Henry Ford?

At our sports medicine program, you’ll find:

• Prompt access: In-person and virtual appointments are typically available within a day or two. You can access care without an appointment at walk-in orthopedic clinics throughout southeast and south central Michigan.
• Trusted experts: Our certified athletic trainers support many high school athletic programs, including wrestling teams, with on-site services. Henry Ford sports medicine experts also serve as official team physicians to area colleges and professional sports organizations.
• Nonsurgical treatments: Primary care sports medicine doctors use a comprehensive approach to care for patients whose injuries do not respond to standard therapies. We offer sophisticated in-office procedures and injections that help many people get relief.
• Conditioning: Our sports performance services can help maximize your athletic potential. We offer personalized training, testing and recovery programs that help you achieve your goals.

Request an appointment

Request an appointment or learn more about our sports medicine services. We offer in-person and virtual visits.

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Learn more about sports injuries and injury prevention:

Inside An Athletic Trainer's Toolkit
Is Baseline Concussion Testing Right for You?
It's All In The Wrist: Common Injuries and When to Get Help
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