5 Summer Sports Injuries We See Most on Long Island — And How to Prevent Them
Summer on Long Island means baseball diamonds, soccer fields, beach volleyball courts, golf courses, and more young athletes than ever pushing their bodies hard after months of winter inactivity. It also means our office sees a predictable surge in sports injuries, many of which could have been prevented with the right preparation and a little awareness.
Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a weekend warrior, or a parent watching your child play, this is your guide to the injuries we treat most from June through August, and what you can do to stay on the field all summer long.
1. Rotator Cuff Strains & Tears
Who we see: Baseball pitchers, swimmers, tennis players, and anyone returning to overhead activity after time off.
Summer is the prime season for shoulder injuries on Long Island, particularly among throwing athletes and swimmers who ramp up their activity quickly after the school year ends. The rotator cuff, the group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder, is placed under significant stress during overhead movements, and it doesn’t take much to push an already fatigued or underprepared shoulder past its limit.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Persistent shoulder pain, especially with overhead movement or throwing
- Weakness when lifting the arm
- Aching at rest or at night
- Decreased velocity or endurance in throwing athletes
How to prevent it: The most important thing you can do is ease back in. Don’t go from zero to full intensity in the first week of the season. Build up gradually, prioritize a proper warm-up before throwing or swimming, and strengthen the rotator cuff with targeted exercises before symptoms develop. For pitchers, following age-appropriate pitch count guidelines and taking adequate rest between outings is non-negotiable.
If shoulder pain doesn’t resolve within a few days of rest, it’s worth getting evaluated. Rotator cuff injuries caught early, when they’re partial tears or strains, are far easier to treat than those that have been allowed to progress for weeks.
2. UCL Injuries (Tommy John) in Baseball Players
Who we see: Youth and high school pitchers, catchers, and position players, often after a busy spring season.
This is one of the most common and concerning injuries we treat on Long Island, particularly in the summer months when many young pitchers have just come off a demanding spring season and are jumping immediately into summer leagues and showcases without adequate recovery time.
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) on the inner side of the elbow absorbs an enormous amount of stress with every throw. When that stress accumulates faster than the body can recover, which is exactly what happens when athletes pitch year-round without rest, the UCL can fray, partially tear, or rupture completely.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Inner elbow pain during or after throwing
- A pop followed by sharp pain
- Decreased velocity or loss of control on the mound
- Numbness or tingling in the ring and pinky fingers
How to prevent it: Rest is the single most important preventive measure. USA Baseball recommends that young pitchers take at least four consecutive months off from throwing each year. Pitching for multiple teams simultaneously during the same season is one of the most significant risk factors for UCL injury and should be avoided. If your athlete is complaining of elbow pain, do not push through it; early evaluation can be the difference between physical therapy and surgery.
3. ACL Tears
Who we see: Soccer, lacrosse, and basketball players, most commonly in the 14–25 age range, with a higher rate among female athletes.
ACL tears are among the most dreaded sports injuries, and for good reason. They almost always require surgery, followed by 9–12 months of rehabilitation. Summer is a high-risk time because athletes are playing in multiple leagues, training intensively, and often fatiguing their bodies without adequate recovery.
The ACL is the primary ligament stabilizing the knee against rotational forces. It is most commonly torn during non-contact mechanisms, such as planting the foot and cutting, landing from a jump, or decelerating suddenly, all movements that are central to soccer, lacrosse, and basketball.
Symptoms to watch for:
- A loud pop at the time of injury
- Immediate swelling of the knee
- Instability: the knee feels like it’s giving way.
- Inability to continue playing
How to prevent it: ACL injury prevention programs, such as the FIFA 11+ warm-up protocol, have been shown to significantly reduce ACL injury rates in female soccer players and are increasingly being adopted across other sports. These programs focus on landing mechanics, neuromuscular control, and hip and core strengthening. Coaches and parents should prioritize proper technique over pure athleticism, particularly during growth spurts when coordination and strength can temporarily fall out of sync.
4. Meniscus Tears
Who we see: Athletes of all ages, from teenage soccer players to adult recreational athletes and golfers.
The meniscus is the cartilage cushion inside the knee that absorbs impact and distributes load across the joint. It can be torn during a sudden twisting movement, such as pivoting in soccer or planting to swing a golf club, or through gradual degeneration in older athletes.
Meniscus tears are among the most common knee injuries we treat in the summer, often occurring in athletes playing on natural grass fields with irregular surfaces, or in adult recreational athletes who are pushing their bodies harder than their joints are prepared to handle.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Pain along the inner or outer edge of the knee
- Swelling that develops gradually after activity
- A locking, catching, or clicking sensation in the knee
- Pain with deep bending, squatting, or pivoting
How to prevent it: Strengthening the muscles around the knee, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip abductors, reduces the load placed on the meniscus during activity. Proper warm-up before play, gradual increases in training volume, and avoiding sudden spikes in activity (like going from no exercise all winter to full-intensity summer leagues) all significantly reduce the risk of meniscus injury.
5. Ankle Sprains
Who we see: Athletes in virtually every sport, basketball, soccer, volleyball, trail running, and recreational beach sports.
Ankle sprains are the single most common sports injury we see across all age groups in the summer. They occur when the foot rolls inward or outward, stretching or tearing the ligaments that stabilize the ankle joint. While often dismissed as minor injuries, untreated and under-rehabilitated ankle sprains can lead to chronic instability, recurrent sprains, and long-term joint problems.
Beach sports pose a particular risk on Long Island; soft, uneven sand creates an unstable surface that significantly increases the risk of ankle rolls, especially during volleyball, touch football, and recreational soccer.
Symptoms to watch for:
- Pain, swelling, and bruising around the ankle after a roll or twist
- Difficulty bearing weight
- A feeling of instability when walking
How to prevent it: Proprioceptive training, exercises that improve your body’s awareness of joint position, is one of the most effective ways to prevent ankle sprains and reduce the risk of re-injury after a previous sprain. Balance exercises, single-leg strengthening, and sport-specific agility drills all contribute to ankle stability. Proper footwear appropriate to the playing surface also matters more than most athletes realize.
If you do sprain your ankle, don’t assume it will heal on its own without any intervention. A proper evaluation ensures the injury is accurately graded, rules out a fracture, and gets you started on the right rehabilitation program to prevent future sprains.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Play Through Pain
The common thread running through all five of these injuries is this: playing through pain almost always makes things worse. What starts as a manageable strain or partial tear can quickly become a surgical-level injury when athletes push through warning signs rather than seeking early evaluation.
On Long Island, where youth sports culture is intense and the pressure to perform is real, it can be tempting to push through discomfort and get back on the field as quickly as possible. But the athletes who take early pain seriously, get evaluated promptly, and follow through on treatment are the ones who have longer, healthier athletic careers.
If you or your athlete is dealing with a shoulder, elbow, knee, or ankle injury this summer, Dr. Zusmanovich and his team are here to help. With locations in Commack, East Setauket, and Patchogue, getting evaluated is straightforward, and getting the right answer early makes all the difference.
Schedule a Consultation
Don’t wait for an injury to get worse before getting it looked at. Request an appointment with Dr. Zusmanovich.