Although wrestling may seem like a dangerous sport, not everyone sustains a severe injury. Some injuries are more common to wrestlers including: cauliflower ear, concussions, and dislocated shoulders. Injuries are common enough that there is time allowed during a match to compensate for recovery (also known as injury time).
Injury Time
During a high school wrestling match or at a wrestling competition without a doctor’s presence, there is an allowance of about two minutes for injury time. (The exact time allowed depends on the style of wrestling and the location of where the match is taking place.) In college, there can be unlimited amount of time for an injury as long as a doctor is present and can determine that the wrestler can continue the match. Of course, if the injury is too severe, then the injured wrestler will have to forfeit the match.
Cauliflower Ear
Cauliflower ear is the most commonly sustained injury by seasoned wrestlers. At the high school level, head gear is usually a uniform requirement to participate in a match but it isn’t usually worn during practices. However, at the college and Olympic level, head gear is not allowed during practices or matches. As a result, wrestlers’ ears undergo a lot of trauma. Ears are constantly slammed into the mat and aggravated by opponents’ arms. As a result of constant irritation and repeated blows, the external ears become injured and fill with fluid. If caught early enough, doctors can drain the fluid. However, this injury can soon become permanent as the fluid turns into solid deposits and the external ear swells and resembles a cauliflower.
Concussions
Wrestlers tend to suffer from concussions when the opponent trips or takes the wrestler to the mat. Oftentimes, the fall is unexpected and a wrestler doesn’t have time to brace themselves properly and their head will slam to the mat. A concussion is usually not severe and the symptoms a wrestler will usually feel are: dizziness and a headache. The more severe ones are confusion, nausea, and slight amnesia (usually from when the head received the trauma to when they started becoming aware of their surroundings). If a wrestler (or their coach) believes they might be suffering from a concussion, they can take injury time to relax and regain composure.
Dislocated Shoulders
Due to the nature of the sport, dislocated shoulders are very common to wrestling. This joint is the most susceptible to over-extension and tearing. Many of the moves involve maneuvering an opponent with shoulders. A wrestler will need strength in their arms and shoulders to dominate and resist their opponent. A wrestler will also need flexibility when their opponent tries to roll them over with arm, elbow, and/or shoulder leverage. Whether it’s the shoulder strain a wrestler undergoes from being the dominant wrestler or the shoulder strain/pulling from being the submissive wrestler, shoulders are very susceptible to dislocation and over-extension.
There are also several blood-related injuries that amateur wrestlers may encounter.
References:
National Federation of State High School Associations
International Federal of Associated Wrestling Styles
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