Badminton

Although badminton is relatively less risky in comparison with other sports, over-doing it can cause injuries. Most badminton injuries result from jumping, turning, and sudden directional changes, often leading to knee or ankle injuries such as sprains or ligament tears. Rotator cuff injuries in the shoulder and damage to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) in the wrist are also common due to repetitive overhead strokes and forceful wrist movements.

Tendon rupture
Besides tennis, badminton is another sport that can cause lower limb tendon ruptures, particularly in the Achilles tendon. Frequent jumping to hit the shuttlecock places significant stress on this tendon. Sudden stops and sharp turns also trigger abrupt contractions in the calf muscles, increasing the risk of rupture.

Achilles tendon rupture is especially common among middle-aged badminton players, who often experience tendinopathy or tendon degeneration due to age. A sudden, forceful contraction of the calf, such as during a jump or landing, can easily tear the weakened tendon.

Rotator cuff injury
Overhead smashing is frequently used in badminton to score points. This motion exerts great stress on the shoulder, which can lead to a rotator cuff injury that in severe cases can cause a rupture in the rotator cuff tendon.

Wrist injury
When hitting the shuttlecock from different angles, the wrist has to stretch, bend or rotate in different ways, causing pressure on the wrist joint, which in turn may harm the relatively fragile cartilage.