SACHIN TENDULKAR AS A SPORTS MEDICINE ROLE MODEL

Sachin Tendulkar. From his Ranji Trophy debut in 1988 to his retirement with his final IPL match in 2013 , it was a glorious career of 25 years. And 25 years of being at the top of his game smashing records by the dozens.

But that superhuman effort extracts a toll on the body and Sachin suffered a lot of injuries. The way he handled them by seeking the right advice , resting adequately whenever necessary, undergoing surgery for some , adherence to strict rehabilitation protocols and more importantly the changes he made to his batting are stuff that only great men can do. 

There are many who stop playing after a single injury or cannot perform at the highest levels , but Sachin is a role model in Orthopaedics that if addressed properly there are solutions to every Sports Injury problem affecting any Bone & Joint.

Sachin Tendulkar's Injuries and Batting Modifications

Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, suffered a number of notable injuries throughout his long and illustrious career. These injuries included:

• 1999: Back injury
• 2001: Toe injury
• 2004: Tennis elbow
• 2006: Shoulder injury
• 2007: Broken kneecap and knee injury
• 2008: Groin injury and elbow injury
• 2009: Hit on the stomach
• 2010: Hand web injury
• 2011: Hamstring injury and herniated disc

Some of the injuries had to be addressed surgically.

Tennis Elbow (2004)

Tennis elbow is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the elbow joint. It is commonly caused by overuse of the forearm muscles, which are responsible for extending the wrist and fingers. 

To treat his tennis elbow, Tendulkar underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from the elbow. He also made a number of modifications to his batting technique, including reducing his backlift and focusing on using his footwork to generate power.

Knee Cap (2007)

Tendulkar suffered a broken kneecap in 2007, while fielding in a match against South Africa. He underwent surgery to repair the broken kneecap, but the injury required a long recovery period. Tendulkar was out of action for several months, and he missed the entire 2007-2008 Test series against Australia.

Once he returned to cricket, Tendulkar had to make a number of modifications to his batting and fielding technique to reduce the stress on his knee. He avoided certain shots that put stress on the knee joint, such as the sweep and the reverse sweep. He also avoided certain movements in the field, such as quick twisting and turning.

Rotator Cuff (2006)

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that helps to stabilize the shoulder joint. Tendulkar suffered a rotator cuff injury in 2006.

To treat his rotator cuff injury, Tendulkar underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. He also made a number of modifications to his batting and fielding technique to reduce the stress on his shoulder. He used a lighter bat and shortened his follow-through. He also avoided certain shots that put stress on the shoulder joint.

Despite these numerous injuries, Tendulkar was able to find ways to overcome them and continue performing at a high level. He made a number of modifications to his batting technique and lifestyle to reduce the risk of re-injury and manage the pain and discomfort caused by his injuries.

Some of the specific modifications Tendulkar made include:

• Reduced his backlift: This helped to reduce the stress on his back and shoulders.
• Focused on using his footwork to generate power: This helped to reduce the reliance on his upper body strength, which was particularly important after his shoulder injury.
• Used a lighter bat: This helped to reduce the stress on his wrists and elbows.
• Shortened his follow-through: This helped to reduce the risk of overextending his joints.
• Used a more upright batting stance: This helped to reduce the stress on his back and knees.
• Used a bat with a thicker handle: This helped to improve his grip and reduce the risk of hand injuries.
• Avoided certain shots that put stress on the knee joint: This included shots such as the sweep and the reverse sweep.
• Avoided certain movements that could aggravate his herniated disc: This included movements such as quick twisting and turning.

In addition to these batting modifications, Tendulkar also made a number of changes to his lifestyle to help manage his injuries. These changes included:

• Following a rigorous fitness and conditioning program: This helped to strengthen his muscles and improve his overall fitness, which made him less susceptible to injury.
• Maintaining a healthy diet: This helped to ensure that his body was getting the nutrients it needed to heal and recover from injuries.
• Getting enough sleep: This helped to reduce fatigue and improve his overall well-being.

Tendulkar's ability to overcome injuries and continue performing at a high level is an inspiration to all athletes. It is a testament to his perseverance, dedication, and mental toughness. Tendulkar's legacy is not only about his cricketing achievements but also about his ability to overcome adversity and achieve his goals.

Conclusion

Tendulkar's modifications to his batting technique and lifestyle are an example of how athletes can adapt their game to manage injuries and continue performing at a high level. It is important to note that these modifications were specific to Tendulkar's own unique body and style of play. What worked for Tendulkar may not work for others.

So always consult an Orthopaedic Surgeon and find out what's best for you. There is no injury in the world that should stop you from playing.

SCOT : Dr. Naveen's Bone and Joint Clinic, Sholinganallur.

www scotortho.com

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