Braehead Clan physio David Jenkins: The dangers facing ice hockey stars

Sep 22 2011

Braehead Clan

THIS Saturday sees the return of the Elite Season to the Braehead Arena.

This is our second term in the top flight and we're looking to improve on our very respectable 5th place last season.

As team physio, I thought I'd share an insight into some of the injuries to players that I'll deal with.

Ice hockey is a fast-paced game that combines players of many sizes together on the rink with high skating speeds and fast, furious action.

It's a hard-hitting, collision sport.

Players risk injury from high-impact clashes with each other, the rigid boards and goal posts.

Impact with a skate blade, long sticks, and pucks travelling at over 100 mph add to the risk.

It's estimated that direct trauma (a sudden forceful injury) accounts for 80 per cent of all injuries.

There has also been an increase in neck and spine injuries in the past decade.

Knee injuries are common due to force of turning and impact.

Players can injure their shoulders as joint separation is a common injury that occurs with checking to the boards and falls onto the ice.

It's estimated that as many as one-third of injuries are caused by fighting. The gloves come off and the hands become exposed.

These injuries can include fractures, torn tendons, or even bite wounds!