Handball’s demands
Handball blends explosive jumping and landing with repetitive overhead throwing and frequent contact. This dual demand means players face both knee injuries from cutting and landing, and shoulder injuries from throwing.
It is a sport with one of the higher rates of ACL injury, particularly among female players, which makes structured prevention especially worthwhile.
Common handball injuries
- checkACL tears from landing and cutting — a signature handball injury.
- checkShoulder instability & cuff problems from repetitive forceful throwing.
- checkFinger and thumb injuries from catching and blocking the ball.
- checkAnkle sprains from jumps and contact.
- checkKnee contusions from collisions in a physical game.
Getting the right diagnosis
Knee injuries with swelling, giving way or a “pop” warrant prompt assessment and usually an MRI to identify ACL, meniscus or cartilage damage. Recurrent shoulder slipping in a thrower should be assessed for instability and labral injury, which guides whether rehabilitation or stabilisation is needed.
Treatment & prevention
Treatment is tailored — from rehabilitation to arthroscopic reconstruction or stabilisation. Prevention is strongly evidence-based in handball:
- Neuromuscular and landing-technique programmes to protect the knee.
- Rotator cuff and shoulder-blade strengthening for throwers.
- Progressive throwing-load management.
- Full rehabilitation before any return to play.
Return to play
Return to handball is criteria-based, guided by strength, movement quality and confidence rather than time alone. Given the sport’s high ACL risk, completing a structured prevention and rehabilitation programme is the best protection against re-injury.