Common Injuries in Mixed Martial Arts
What is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)?
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport where athletes compete using a variety of disciplines, including Boxing, Maui Thai, Judo, Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Wrestling, Karate, and so on. A multitude of techniques are utilized, including upper and lower extremity strikes, grappling, takedowns, joint locks and submission holds. When striking techniques are employed (such as with boxing) it often results in more head and facial injuries, whereas grappling techniques (as in wrestling) result in joint injuries.
What are the most common MMA injuries?
Overall, MMA is a sport with a high injury rate, with an incidence of 25 injuries per 100 competitive fights. The majority of injuries are to the head and face, followed by the wrist and hand. The most commonly injured joint is the elbow joint, followed by the knee joint (ACL, MCL, meniscus). The most common types of injuries are lacerations, followed by fractures and concussions. Frequently fractured are the orbital bones, nose, ribs, ulna, radius and clavicle. Long bone fractures are rare but can occur from a strike or block to the tibia, fibula, radius, or ulna. Other common musculoskeletal injuries are contusions or sprains of the metacarpals, AC joint separations, elbow subluxations, bursitis, and MCL sprains, midfoot and ankle sprains, trapezius strains, and Achilles tendon injuries.
Why are injuries so common in MMA?
The objective of the sport is for the athlete to get their opponent to submit, or tap out. In order to do that, they might need to secure a takedown; by which they force their opponent to the ground. Takedown examples include the leg trip, scissor kick, single leg, fireman’s carry, bear hug, and so on. Once their opponent is on the ground, a submission hold is applied. Submission methods typically employed are chokes and joint locks. Most frequently used chokes used are the “Rear naked choke”, the “guillotine” (front naked choke), and the “triangle” choke, all which put pressure on both of the opponent’s carotid arteries, cutting off blood flow. When this choke is done successfully, the opponent will pass out in 7-10 seconds. If held for over a minute, this choke can result in death. Air chokes, which put pressure on the Adam’s apple and restrict air through the windpipe take longer to render an opponent unconscious.
Joint locks are a commonly used grappling technique, where the opponent’s joint is manipulated beyond the maximum range of motion in order to control the opponent into submission. Examples of frequently used joint locks include Upper Limb Locks (single or double joint locks), which impart a hyperextension, hyperflexion or hyperrotation force on the shoulder, elbow or wrist. Some well known and used armlocks are the “Armbar” in which the elbow is hyperextended, a “Kimura” where the shoulder is maximally internally rotated with the forearm pronated (causing rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocations, distal upper extremity sprains/strains), and the “Americana” where the shoulder is maximally externally rotated. Commonly used leg locks include the “Kneebar” where the knee is hyperextended, the “Straight Ankle Lock” or “Achilles lock” in which the ankle is maximally plantarflexed (tearing the muscles and ligaments on top of the foot or imparting a crushing force to the Achilles tendon). Some other joint locks include the “Toe hold” where maximal plantarflexion and inversion of the ankle occur, the “Heel hook”, which is medial/lateral torque on ankle, also imparting a twisting force to the knee, and in high level competitions, a ”Calf or Bicep Slicer”, where the muscle is compressed and joint separated.
Preventing MMA injuries
Athletes engaging in MMA will more likely get injured while training than during a competition. There are steps that can be taken to prevent or reduce injury. Good nutritional habits, replenishing glycogen stores after exertion, and even supplementation (Vitamin D and calcium) is crucial. Many athletes dehydrate themselves in order to lose weight prior to weigh-in. Studies show that up to 50% of athletes are dangerously dehydrated prior to competition (Jetton,2013). Use of headgear, elbow pads, gloves, and proper hand wrapping is vital. It is necessary to keep cuts clean, prevent infection and to apply Vaseline on areas of the face that are susceptible to cuts. Injuries can be minimized with proper technique, such as avoiding a loose fist when punching, rolling with a punch or block, evasive footwork, breaking a fall, or checking a kick. To increase longevity of an athletes career they must use strategy over hard sparring . An athlete must listen to the body and not the ego, especially during a submission hold. Resting and rehabilitating after an injury and not returning to sport too early is essential to prevent a chain of injuries. This is particularly significant after a knockout, which can end an athlete’s career. It is imperative to use a variety of exercises when training to prevent muscle imbalances, strengthen the neck muscles to prevent incidence of concussion, and maintain good joint mobility, especially of the shoulders and hips.
Physical Therapy for MMA Injuries
If you participate in mixed martial arts and sustained an injury or would like to be evaluated for muscle imbalances and joint mobility, please contact us at 347-560-6920.
Dr. Shiri-lee Uriel PT, DPT, CSCS
Sarrica Physical Therapy and Wellness
References:
Injuries Sustained by the Mixed Martial Arts Athlete
Andrew R. Jensen, Robert C. Maciel, Frank A. Petrigliano, John P. Rodriguez, Adam G. Brooks Sports Health. 2017 Jan-Feb; 9(1): 64–69. Published online 2016 Aug 20. doi: 10.1177/1941738116664860
Determining the Prevalence and Assessing the Severity of Injuries in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes
Lt. Charles E. Rainey
N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2009 Nov; 4(4): 190–199.
Jetton AM, Lawrence MM, Meucci M, et al. Dehydration and acute weight gain in mixed martial arts fighters before competition. J Strength Cond Res. 2013;27(5):1322–1326. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31828a1e91
