Volleyball spike: common injuries and its rehabilitation

Volleyball is a globally popular sport, with spiking being a critical offensive technique that contributes significantly to scoring. However, spiking is also associated with a range of injuries due to repetitive motion, overuse, and sudden trauma. These injuries commonly affect various body parts, including the knees, ankles, shoulders, fingers, and wrists, and involve different tissues, such as bones, ligaments, and tendons. This review examines the mechanisms underlying spiking-related injuries and provides an overview of the common injuries sustained by volleyball players. It also discusses the rehabilitation principles used to promote recovery and prevent re-injury. Rehabilitation typically involves a multi-phase approach, starting with pain management and swelling reduction, followed by muscle strengthening, load progression, and functional training. The final stages focus on sport-specific movements to ensure athletes can safely return to play. A comprehensive understanding of injury prevention, along with proper training and rehabilitation, is essential for coaches and athletes to minimize injury risks and enhance recovery outcomes, ultimately ensuring a faster return to performance and reducing the likelihood of future injuries.