The worst injury in hockey. Sports injuries, features of injuries in ice hockey. Brain concussion
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Chris Simon and Ryan Hollweg
On March 8, 2007, the next round of the “eternal” confrontation between two principal rivals from New York – the Islanders and the Rangers – took place at the Nassau Coliseum. Midway through the game, Rangers forward Hollweg made a clean catch against the Islanders' Chris Simon. In response, Chris decided to perform an experiment on air, imagining that his club was a baseball bat and Hollweg's head was a ball. Simon didn't miss, since Hollweg is a big guy. The blow turned out just right; the “Ranger”’s face had to be stitched up. As a result, Chris was suspended for 25 games for his offense and missed the rest of the championship. And a few years later he left for the KHL altogether.
Marian Gossa and Brian Berard
On March 11, 2000, an incident occurred that became fateful in the career of the first pick of the 1995 draft. Ottawa forward Marian Gossa hit Toronto defender Brian Berard in the eye. Berard suffered a ruptured and detached retina. Seven operations followed, as a result of which Brian was forced to miss the rest of the 1999-2000 season and the entire next year. He returned to duty only in 2001, taking to the ice in a New York Rangers uniform. As a result, Berard spent another six seasons in the NHL, after which he followed the same route as Chris Simon, that is, to Chekhov’s Vityaz.
Bobby Clarke and Valery Kharlamov
Bobby Clarke's legendary foul on Valery Kharlamov is known, perhaps, to every hockey fan. Kharlamov, a superstar of Soviet hockey, broke his ankle after being hit with Clark's stick in Game 6 of the Super Series. Overcoming the pain, he was able to finish that match, but missed all the remaining matches. Canada eventually won the series thanks to a goal from Paul Henderson in the final minute of the 8th match. Who knows how the confrontation would have turned out if Clarke had not incapacitated Legend Number 17.
Richard Zednik
On February 10, 2008, Slovakian Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik nearly died after teammate Olli Jokinen cut his carotid artery while falling. Please do not watch if you are nervous...
Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore
Vancouver's Todd Bertuzzi's underhanded hit remains one of the most infamous moments in NHL history. After an unsuccessful attempt by Bertuzzi to provoke a fight with Moore, who had previously used a power move against Canucks captain Markus Näslund, Bertuzzi first hit him in the head from behind, and then “finished him off” while Steve was already lying on the ice. The Colorado player had three broken cervical vertebrae, a concussion and facial lacerations. As a result of this incident, Moore was forced to retire, and Bertuzzi returned to the ice after he apologized to Steve and his family, and the league reinstated him (he ended up missing a season and a half).
Travis Moen
Another accident. Ottawa's Matt Cullen accidentally slashed Montreal forward Travis Moen with his skate blade.
Jamie Heward
Huard, another ex-Cahale player, was injured in the match between his Washington and Dallas. The hosts' captain, Mike Modano, left a mark from his skate on the face of the capital's defender. However, Jamie was ready to play in the next match.
Denis Sokolov
Another case of a carotid artery cut, this time from the KHL. Avtomobilist defender Denis Sokolov almost died after Traktor forward Jan Bulis cut his carotid artery. The video of this incident was then removed from YouTube, but despite the drama of the situation, Sokolov returned to the ice a few weeks later. Man...!
Darren McCarthy
Darren McCarthy was known for his tough temper and muscles of steel, but in this fight he met his worthy opponent - Sheldon Souray, who turned his face into a bloody mess.
Berje Salming
Detroit forward Gerard Gallant slashed Swedish hockey legend and then-Toronto defenseman Berje Salming in the face with a blade as he lay on the ice in front of the goal. The Swede immediately underwent surgery, after which his face was “decorated” with almost 200 stitches.
Ian Laperriere
One of the most selfless hockey players in NHL history, Ian Laperriere, tried to stop the puck flying into the goal in a match against the New Jersey Devils. He succeeded in this. The result: 100 stitches needed to stitch up a facial laceration and stop the bleeding.
Trent McLeary
Montreal's Trent McLeary was forced to retire early after Chris Therrien's shot hit him in the throat. McLeary was taken to hospital and nearly died due to a fractured larynx and a collapsed one of his lungs. He attempted to resume his NHL career the following season, but was forced to abandon the idea and hang up his skates.
Patrick Thoresen
On April 11, 2008, Patrick Thoresen received serious injury groin after trying to block Mike Green's shot. Despite Patrick's suffering, the game was not even stopped. And while he was writhing in pain, Washington scored a goal and evened the score.
Curtis Foster
Minnesota's Curtis Foster suffered a gruesome injury in a game against the San Jose Sharks on March 20, 2008. A classic NHL situation: Curtis rolls behind the net for a shot to be called, and Torrey Mitchell crashes into him from behind at full speed. Foster crashes into the boards and breaks his hip. Chris was taken off the ice on a stretcher, and a week later he underwent surgery, causing him to miss the rest of the 2007-08 season. and playoffs.
Max Pacioretty
Forward Max Pacioretty suffered a broken vertebrae and a severe concussion after Boston captain Zdeno Chara used a forceful move against him. To justify Hara, it should be said that there was no intent in the actions of “Big Z”. Pacioretty, however, missed the remainder of the 2010–11 season but returned to the ice the following year.
Daniel Payet
The Boston forward took a shot against the New York Islanders and was only able to leave the court with the help of his teammates. The video clearly shows how the puck hit him in the face. Fortunately, Daniel recovered quite quickly and even played in the playoffs.
Eric Lindros and Scott Stevens
The Devils captain's famous hit against one of the best Canadian forwards of the 90s. – Eric Lindros in Game 7 of the 1999-2000 Eastern Conference Finals. A killer power move landed right on Lindros's head. It was Eric's second concussion that season, which effectively ended his stellar Nationals career. hockey league. Philadelphia, having lost its leader, eventually lost in that match and the series, and Scott Stevens a month later again raised the silver cup over his head.
Tomas Vokoun
Defenseman Keith Ballard was so upset that his Florida team missed a goal again that he decided to take his anger out on goal. But instead of smashing his tool to pieces, he injured goalkeeper Tomas Vokoun, who had a torn ear and a slight concussion.
Clint Malarchuk
This injury to Buffalo Sabers goalie Clint Malarchuk is considered by many to be the worst injury in NHL history. The Blades' goalkeeper nearly bled to death on the ice after Steve Tuttle of the St. Louis Blues cut Clint's jugular vein with his skate. Is our latest video not for the faint of heart.
Sports injuries are damage to various body tissues that occur as a result of activities. physical exercise or sports games.
Athletes are also susceptible to injuries, including severe ones, after which serious complications develop. Depending on the nature of their occurrence, sports injuries can be acute or chronic. Acute injuries that occur suddenly include fractures, dislocations, sprains and some other injuries.
Chronic injuries develop over a fairly long period of time.
As a result of long-term significant physical activity degeneration of cartilage tissue and tendon fibers occurs. Ossification of cartilage leads to the appearance of osteophytes - various bone growths: bone spurs, spines. Changes in the structure of the tendons entail tendinosis, which is characterized by severe pain in the area of the tendons and ligaments. The pain intensifies with stress on the muscles attached to them.
The most common sports injuries according to the medical literature are:
Chronic instability in shoulder joint;
- “jumper’s knee”;
- “runner's knee”;
- “tennis elbow”;
- “swimmer’s shoulder”;
Achilles tendon ruptures.
Full list The variety of injuries that occur in athletes is much wider.
With the development of chronic injuries, symptoms such as dull, aching pain at rest, increased pain when loading a particular muscle group, and initial stiffness of the joints are typical.
Structure of injuries in ice hockey
According to a Swedish study, 39.4% of injuries in professional hockey players occur in the lower extremities, the head area (injuries of the scalp and craniocerebral), face and neck are injured in 30.6% of cases, and the upper extremities account for 22.3 % of injuries. In a similar Danish study, injuries to the head (hair and cranial), face and neck also accounted for about a third of all injuries sustained - 28%, injuries to the lower extremities - 27%, and injuries upper limbs- 19% of all injuries. In an American study on this topic, published in a medical journal in 2005, all injuries to the head, face and neck, upper and lower extremities are distributed in the following way respectively: 35%, 21% and 24%. The results of Japanese researchers are somewhat different from European and American ones - the most common injury of Japanese hockey players is injuries to the lower extremities, amounting to 43%. At the same time, the most injured area is the knee - 9.4% of the total number of injuries. Upper extremity injuries came in second at 27.6%, with hand and finger injuries accounting for 8.2% of all injuries and shoulder injuries accounting for 5.6%. Injuries to the head, face and neck rank third in frequency, accounting for 16.9%.
Classification of injuries in ice hockey players
Types of injuries.
According to the most representative of the above-mentioned studies by Japanese specialists, the following types of injuries occur with varying frequencies in ice hockey:
bruises – 37.9%;
sprains/tears of ligaments – 26.0%;
dissections – 10.3%;
muscle sprains/tears – 9.4%;
fractures – 1.6%;
TBI (concussion) – 1.6%;
dental damage – 1.3%;
knee meniscal tears – 0.6%;
dislocations/subluxations – 0.3%;
others – 11.0%.
Japanese authors noted that bruises more often affected the areas of the foot and hand, and the knee and lower leg were more often injured by blows from a stick or puck. The hip, neck, and shoulder girdle and lower back. Soft tissue cuts were most often observed on the face and almost always occurred as a result of a blow from a club. Sprains more often occurred in the ankle and foot area.
In the Danish study, bruises accounted for 46%, ligament injuries/sprains 26%, and fractures and muscle sprains/tears each 14%. In this case, bruises more often affected the head, and the knee area is more susceptible to ligament damage in Danish hockey.
In the Swedish study, bruises accounted for 43.4%, cuts accounted for 26%, ligament injuries 12%, muscle sprains/tears 9.5%, concussions 3.8%, fractures 2.5% of cases and dental injuries - 2.2%. Bruises more often occurred in the hip, knee, ankle, shin and hand areas, as well as the face; ligament injuries were predominantly observed in the knee area, and muscles were injured more often in the shoulder and groin area.
The data from the American study differ markedly from the above - fractures are in first place in American hockey - 29%, followed by sprains of ligaments and muscles - 26%, then soft tissue dissections - 15%, bruises - 12%, TBI (concussions) - 9 %, post-exertion lumbar pain - 6% and dislocations - 3%. It is probably not customary in American hockey to often seek medical help for bruises. In this case, cuts most often occur in the head and face, and the upper and ligaments are more susceptible to sprains of muscles and ligaments. lower limbs, most often the ribs break. And the causes of rib fractures in most cases are athletes pushing onto the board, which is observed much more often in American hockey compared to European hockey due to the smaller size hockey rinks and a frequent fight for the puck along the boards as a result of this.
Causes of injuries in ice hockey:
stick – 24.5%;
puck – 19.1%;
fatigue and loss of concentration – 16.9%;
physical contact with another player – 13.5%;
fall – 6.9%;
collisions with the side – 3.1%;
contact with the skate – 0.3%;
other and unspecified – 15.7%.
The cited Japanese study found that stick impacts were the most common mechanism of injury to ice hockey players. According to a Swedish study, the main mechanism of hockey injury is also a blow with a stick - 26.1%, followed by contact with another player - 23.9%, being hit by pucks - 16%, collisions with the sides of the rink account for 7.2%, falls - 4%, and for contacts with a skate - 2.1%. In the American study, collisions were ranked first - 44%, while the researchers included contacts with the board, other players or with ice in this category; hits with the puck account for 18%, hits with a stick 15%, falls without any contact 9%, injuries due to fights account for 3%.
Knee joint injuries in hockey players
Many hockey players have patellofemoral problems, including softening of the articular cartilage of the patella, i.e. chondromalacia of the patella, they are susceptible to fractures of the patella, especially as a result of collisions with the side of the platform, when their leg is bent at the knee joint.
Mechanism of intra-articular injuries knee joint In hockey players, valgus deviation of the shin most often occurs when it simultaneously pronates during sharp turns.
During the game, the knee joints of hockey players are most often in a semi-bent position, which further increases their vulnerability to various injuries. When there is a blow to the lateral (outer) part of the knee joint, it is subjected to an external rotating valgus load, which can ultimately lead to damage to the medial collateral/lateral and anterior cruciate ligaments.
Isolated tears of the medial collateral ligament can be treated conservatively in most cases. And after a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, recurrent instability in the knee joint often occurs, and the risk of damage to the meniscus, as well as damage to the articular surfaces, increases. Recurrent instability requires surgical correction. Damage to the articular surfaces of the bones that form the knee joint may require complete or partial replacement.
The 2017 World Hockey Championship ended with Sweden's victory a few days ago, and the Stanley Cup is in full swing - and isn't this a reason to talk about one of the most spectacular sports again? It is unlikely that we will open America to you if we say that the injuries that professional hockey players receive on the ice are sometimes so serious that they force them to miss not just a few games, but entire seasons.
All this, however, does not make hockey any less popular view sports In Russia, it is generally considered to be a national treasure, which is supported by the excellent performances of our team at international competitions and our hockey players as leading players in top NHL clubs.
This material contains the five most common injuries that both professionals and hockey fans receive on the ice.
Concussion
Concussions most often occur due to impacts on the glass during hard play near the boards or on the ice as a result of forceful moves from an opponent. Well-fitted helmets and a clear distribution of hockey players around the perimeter of the playing field are designed to save from this.
If, after a fall, a player experiences symptoms such as dizziness, a sharp or nagging headache, nausea, uncharacteristic pallor, rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing, immediate medical attention is recommended. By the way, a hockey helmet can both protect the athlete and aggravate the consequences of the injury if the fall, as they say, was unsuccessful.
Shoulder tear
The acromioclavicular joint is a low-moving joint in the body that connects the collarbone and scapula. Statistics show that among the total number of ruptures and dislocations, the frequency of ruptures of the acromioclavicular joint is about 17%, and in the list of “most popular” shoulder injuries it occupies an honorable third place.
The risk group primarily includes professional athletes, and as for hockey, players most often receive this injury as a result of a strong collision with an opponent during the game. A special shoulder pad usually helps reduce risks.
Knee injury
The medial (inner) collateral (side) ligament, located on the inside of the knee, can be stretched after a blow to the knee. outside knee This, as we all well understand, often happens in contact sports, which includes not only hockey, but also football and basketball.
In the case of hockey players, the problem becomes a little more serious, since the player needs to get on his skates in order to continue playing. This is even more difficult to do if you consider that the injury is accompanied by acute pain in the inner surface of the knee joint, so it is usually possible to resume skating with timely help only after 2-3 weeks.
Hamstring strain
This injury can occur during play or as a result of a sudden, too abrupt start while skating. Hamstring strains most commonly occur in runners, hockey players, soccer players, basketball players, and speed skaters. Proper strengthening before the start of a game or competition can reduce the risk of getting it, but does not guarantee, however, that everything will work out.
Stretching is characterized by piercing pain that spreads across back surface hips, discomfort on palpation and swelling in the damaged area. As for continuing the game, it all depends on the degree of sprain - sometimes the athlete cannot even leave the court on his own, not to mention skating.
Ankle sprain
Sprain ankle joint can occur during a rapid change of direction on the ice, which, as we are well aware, happens all the time. Skates will be a preventative measure in this case. correct size, but if the injury has already occurred, then it can be “identified” by pain, bruising, joint stiffness and difficulty moving.
In this case, the hockey player needs immediate rest, so he can continue playing only in extreme cases. Treatment also includes the use of ice, bandaging, and anti-inflammatory medications if the doctor deems them necessary. Recovery usually takes from 3 days to several weeks, depending on the number of torn fibers in each tendon.
Sports insurance
Ice hockey is one of the most traumatic species sport, and the most traumatic among all types of hockey. When participating in competitions or tournaments, athletes can receive injuries of various types; let’s look at the most common injuries to hockey players and the causes of injury.
The most common injuries are head injuries. They vary in severity, from a mild concussion to cerebral hemorrhage. And the worst thing is that hockey players receive such injuries regularly, as a result, each new head injury increases the risk of receiving a more serious injury in the future. The results of repeated concussions can lead to brain swelling and death of a hockey player. Sports insurance is a guarantee of timely treatment and quality rehabilitation.
The situation is no better with neck injuries; over the past decades they have become the second most common. Cause frequent injuries necks are heavy helmets, resulting from collisions cervical regions the spine simply cannot support their head with a helmet. As a result, blood vessels in the neck may rupture, and if strong blows vertebral artery rupture is possible.
In third place are facial injuries, especially the eyes and teeth. Typically, injuries occur when a puck hits the face or an opponent's stick hits the face. The force of the blow can be so powerful that even a special mouth guard cannot help the hockey player.
Next come joint injuries, these are: damage to the upper extremities, sprains and dislocations, fractures. Damage of this kind is typical when using forceful techniques; sometimes players receive minor injuries after mass fights.
What does sports insurance cover for hockey?
You can buy sports insurance from our company; it will cover most injuries and illnesses:
- Burns caused by an accident.
- Fractures, dislocations, sprains and so on.
- Serious bodily harm.
- The onset of critical illness.
- Different kinds surgical intervention.
- Hospitalization and disability due to an accident (illness).
- Temporary loss of general ability to work.
- Death of the insured person.
The insurance periods for a hockey player vary. An athlete can take out a policy for a year, purchase a document for participation in a tournament, or purchase insurance for a period of time as a fee. In addition, separate insurance is issued when a hockey player travels abroad. Payments as a result of an insured event are made after the transfer of supporting documents: medical certificates, photographs, and so on. Typically, the threshold for possible payments is specified in the insurance contract. After the occurrence of an insured event and its confirmation with documents, money is issued in a lump sum. We have convenient online insurance, we guarantee the best price!
Hockey is one of the most favorite sports in many countries. A huge number of fans visit ice battles every day to enjoy the game and get an adrenaline rush. Despite the massive protective equipment and helmets, hockey players are not completely safe on the ice. There are threats all around: skate blades, a puck flying at great speed, strong opponent. That is why this sport is considered one of the most traumatic. Many hockey players ended their careers because they could not recover from what happened. Some of them even remained disabled. The most terrible injuries are described in this article.
6th place: Denis Sokolov
In the KHL it’s not very often that you see something that excites the eye. Yes, hockey players play hard and sometimes go beyond the limits in using forceful techniques, but what is happening in the NHL still does not occur.
However, the most terrible injury in hockey continental league still happened. During the match between the Avtomobilist and Traktor teams (September 2012), player number 42, defender of the Yekaterinburg club Denis Sokolov, was seriously injured.
During a normal game moment behind the goal, Sokolov lost his balance and began to fall to the ice. At that moment, quite accidentally, he was hit in the neck by the blade of his opponent’s skate. At that same second, Denis felt blood pulsating and flowing out of him like a fountain. It turned out that the blow hit a branch just below the ear.
In the five minutes that he was taken to the ambulance, Denis lost almost half a liter of blood. He spent no more than an hour in the hospital. The wound was stitched under him. He was able to participate in the games within two weeks.
5th place: and Brian Berard
During the match “Ottawa” - “Toronto” (March 2000), another worst injury in hockey occurred. Its consequences are terrible. Slovakian Marian Gossa, Ottawa striker, wanted to make a powerful throw towards the opponent's goal, but Brian stood in his way. The puck, launched with superhuman strength, hit him right in the eye.
Berard suffered a ruptured and detached retina. He was immediately taken to the hospital, but there were no comforting prognoses. During the year, the hockey player underwent seven operations. It took him a long time to recover. Brian now had to wear contacts.
In April 2001, he began training. The Rangers became interested in him, and Berard signed a trial contract.
4th place: Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore
In 2004, an incident occurred that was called shameful by everyone: from sports critics to fans. Hockey is a pretty aggressive game, but it's just a game. It should not become a threat to people's lives.
Apparently, Canadian Bertuzzi did not think so. He hit his opponent Moore from behind. It was not by force or a fair fight for the puck. The worst injury in hockey was the result of a cruel and vile act that led to dire consequences.
Steve Moore lost consciousness and fell onto the ice. Doctors found out that he had a severe traumatic brain injury and after receiving injuries, Moore was forced to end his NHL career that had just begun.
He and his family filed a lawsuit, demanding 68 million in compensation.
Bertuzzi publicly apologized to the victim. And his punishment was a disqualification for only 20 matches.
3rd place: Richard Zednik
February 2008. Match between Florida and Buffalo. It was an ordinary game moment, but the audience remembered it for a long time. The worst injury in hockey is usually caused by sharp skate blades. And the neck, as the most unprotected part of the player’s body, often suffers the most.
Slovakian Zednik was also unlucky. His teammate Olli Jokinen crashed into his match opponent at great speed. He began to fall forward and accidentally slashed Richard in the neck with his outstretched leg. The latter's carotid artery was broken.
The hockey player's first thought was disappointment that he would not see his daughter grow up. Zednik thought that his wound was fatal. But the forward did not even lose consciousness; with the help of doctors, he left ice rink. The wound was so deep that Richard had to undergo hundreds of stitches over several days.
This incident ended happily for the player. He was able to return to the main team of his team.
2nd place: Clint Malarchuk
Although the goalkeeper is not involved in the pursuit of the puck and is not subject to strong pressure from the opponent, he may not find himself in the most tempting situation. The worst injury in hockey for a goalie can happen both during a game and during a break. For example, Florida defender Keith Ballard wanted to take his anger out on the opponent's goal, but his stick flew straight into the goalkeeper's head and cut off his ear.
The worst injury in hockey in 1989 is remembered by everyone for its bloodthirstiness. This was also a game moment. Two players fought in Malarchuk's goal area. They started falling and Steve Tuttle of the St. Louis Blues accidentally kicked the goalie. The blow hit
Blood gushed out in a powerful stream, and in a matter of seconds a huge burgundy puddle formed on the ice. Clint squeezed the wound as best he could, but blood still oozed out. Buffalo's physical therapist actually saved the goalie's life. He pinched the vein above the cut and stopped the bleeding.
From the horrific spectacle, several people in the front row lost consciousness, some felt sick with their hearts, and some hockey players vomited.
Malarchuk was already saying goodbye to life. He asked to call the priest and convey a few words to his mother. But the goalkeeper was taken to the hospital, where he spent two days and had about three hundred stitches.
After this incident, all goalkeepers were required to wear a special protective collar.
Malarchuk’s life was divided into “before” and “after”. And although he returned in the same season, his game was no longer the same as before. The hockey player became depressed and constantly had nightmares, which he calmed down with alcohol. He finally ended his career in 1997.
1st place: Ronnie Keller
The worst hockey injury of 1989 ruined the life of a talented goalkeeper. Many cases in the history of this sport have changed the lives of players 100%. This happened to the Swiss Ronnie Keller. After a collision with his rival Stefan Schnyder, he was hospitalized for a long time.
Ronnie was diagnosed with extensive fractures. Doctors fought for his life and had no doubt about his future disability. Ronnie Keller remained paralyzed despite rehabilitation efforts.
The uniform with his number “23”, as a sign of respect to the athlete, now always hangs on the bench.
