Common Hammer Throw Injuries In Physiotherapy

What is Hammer Throw? 

Hammer throw is a track and field event where athletes compete to throw a heavy metal ball (the hammer) as far as possible within a designated throwing circle. Here's how it works: 

• Equipment: The hammer consists of a metal ball (typically weighing 7.26 kg for men and 4 kg for women) attached to a handle by a steel wire. Athletes grip the handle and spin around within a circle before releasing the hammer to achieve maximum distance. 

• Technique: The thrower initiates the movement with several spins to build momentum. The hammer is released at the peak of these spins, aiming for distance rather than height. The throw is measured from the circumference of the throwing circle to where the hammer lands. 

• Competition: Athletes get several attempts, typically around three to six, with the best throw (measured in meters) counting toward their score. Competitors must stay within the throwing circle during their attempt, and the event is regulated by strict rules to ensure safety and fairness. 

Common Injuries in Hammer Throw (Olympic sport): 

Shoulder Injuries: 

• Rotator Cuff Tears or Strains: Rotational forces and the overhead motion involved in throwing can lead to tears or strains in the rotator cuff muscles and tendons. 

• Shoulder Impingement: Overuse can cause the tendons of the rotator cuff to become inflamed or compressed, leading to pain and reduced mobility. 

Elbow Injuries: 

• Epicondylitis (Tennis or Golfer's Elbow): These are tendon injuries caused by repetitive stress on the tendons of the elbow joint, particularly from the forceful release of the hammer. 

Back Injuries: 

• Muscle Strains: The twisting and rotational forces during the hammer throw can strain the muscles of the back, particularly the lower back. 

• Spinal Disc Injuries: The force exerted during the throw can also lead to herniated discs or other spinal disc injuries, especially if proper technique is not maintained. 

Knee Injuries: 

• Patellar Tendonitis: Inflammation of the patellar tendon due to the repeated jumping and landing involved in the throw. 

• Meniscus Tears: Twisting movements during the throw can lead to tears in the meniscus, the cartilage that cushions the knee joint. 

Ankle Injuries: 

• Sprains and Strains: Rotational forces and the impact of landing can cause sprains (ligament tears) or strains (muscle or tendon tears) in the ankle. 

Physiotherapy Management of Common Hammer Throw Injuries: 

Rest and Immobilisation: 

• Initial rest to allow the injured area to heal. 

• Immobilisation with splints or braces may be necessary for severe injuries. 

Ice (Cryotherapy): 

• Applying ice packs to the injured area for 15-20 minutes every few hours to reduce pain and inflammation. 

Physical Therapy: 

• Stretching Exercises: Gentle stretching to maintain or improve flexibility in the injured muscles and tendons. 

• Strengthening Exercises: Gradual strengthening to improve muscle support around the injured area and prevent future injuries. 

• Modalities: Use of therapeutic modalities such as electrical stimulation to promote healing and reduce pain. 

Technique Correction and Modification: 

• Evaluating and correcting the athlete's throwing technique to reduce stress on injured areas. 

• Providing guidance on proper body mechanics and modifications to prevent future injuries. 

Gradual Return to Activity: 

• Progressive reintroduction of activities and exercises to allow the injured tissues to heal while gradually increasing the intensity and duration of training. 

• Monitoring for any signs of pain or discomfort during rehabilitation and adjusting the program as needed. 

Summary of Key Points: 

• Hammer throw is an Olympic track and field event where athletes throw a heavy metal ball (the hammer) for maximum distance within a throwing circle. 

• Common injuries include shoulder, elbow, back, knee, and ankle injuries due to the repetitive and forceful nature of the sport. 

• Physiotherapy management focuses on rest, ice therapy, physical therapy exercises (stretching and strengthening), technique correction, and a gradual return to activity to facilitate recovery and prevent re-injury.