Wheelchair basketball is an intense sport that can cause muscle and joint pain due to repetitive movements and collisions. Professional players face a unique challenge: they need to treat their pain effectively while following strict anti-doping rules that prevent them from using certain common pain medications. This research review looked at the best ways to help wheelchair basketball players manage their injuries, including safe pain relief options, physical therapy, strength training, and prevention strategies. The key finding is that the most effective approach combines multiple methods—like physical therapy and targeted exercises—rather than relying only on pain medications.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How professional wheelchair basketball players can safely treat muscle and joint pain while following anti-doping rules in sports
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research about wheelchair basketball players with disabilities who compete professionally; no new patients were studied
  • Key finding: Wheelchair basketball players need a combination approach to pain management that emphasizes physical therapy, strength training, and prevention rather than relying heavily on pain medications
  • What it means for you: If you play wheelchair basketball or another adaptive sport, working with your medical team on a plan that includes exercise, physical therapy, and proper technique can help manage pain safely without risking anti-doping violations. Always check with your sports medicine doctor before taking any supplements or medications.

The Research Details

This research is a comprehensive review, meaning the authors searched through thousands of scientific studies about wheelchair basketball and pain management to find the best available evidence. They looked through three major medical databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase) to gather information about how professional wheelchair basketball players currently manage their muscle and joint pain.

The researchers then organized this information to understand what treatments work best, what risks exist, and what approaches are safe under anti-doping rules. This type of study doesn’t involve testing new treatments on patients; instead, it summarizes what scientists already know from previous research to create a practical guide for doctors and athletes.

The review focused specifically on wheelchair basketball because this sport has unique challenges—players experience rapid movements, wheelchair collisions, and falls that cause specific types of injuries. The researchers wanted to understand how medical teams can help these athletes while respecting the strict rules that prevent athletes from using banned substances.

This research approach is important because wheelchair basketball is a growing professional sport, but there hasn’t been much scientific guidance on how to safely treat injuries in these athletes. By reviewing all available research together, the authors created a practical guide that medical teams can use. This is especially important because wheelchair basketball players face a special challenge: many common pain medications are banned in sports, so doctors need to know what alternatives work best.

This is a review article that summarizes existing research rather than conducting a new study. The strength of this approach is that it pulls together information from multiple scientific sources, giving a broad picture of what works. However, the quality depends on the studies it reviewed—if those studies were small or poorly designed, the conclusions may be less reliable. The authors searched major medical databases, which is a good sign they tried to find all relevant research. Since this was published in 2025, it includes recent evidence about wheelchair basketball and pain management.

What the Results Show

The research shows that wheelchair basketball players commonly experience muscle and joint pain from the sport’s demands—the rapid movements, quick direction changes, and occasional collisions and falls create repetitive stress on their bodies. The main finding is that managing this pain effectively requires a team approach rather than relying on one single treatment.

The most important treatment methods identified are: (1) Physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises tailored to each player’s needs, (2) Strength conditioning programs designed for wheelchair basketball, and (3) Prevention strategies that help athletes avoid injuries in the first place. These non-medication approaches are emphasized because they work well and don’t create anti-doping concerns.

When pain medications are necessary, the research shows that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs—common pain relievers like ibuprofen) can be used, but doctors must carefully check that these medications comply with World Anti-Doping Agency rules. The key is using the lowest effective dose for the shortest time needed.

The review also found that many wheelchair basketball players use dietary supplements to help with recovery and performance, but this carries hidden risks. Some supplements can be contaminated with banned substances without the athlete knowing, which could result in accidental anti-doping violations. Therefore, medical staff must carefully evaluate any supplements before recommending them.

The research highlights that a multidisciplinary team approach works best—this means having doctors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and coaches all working together to manage player health. The review emphasizes that prevention is just as important as treatment; teaching players proper technique, appropriate conditioning, and injury prevention exercises can reduce pain problems before they start. Additionally, the research notes that psychological well-being is connected to physical health in wheelchair basketball players, so mental health support is part of comprehensive care.

This review appears to be one of the first comprehensive guides specifically for wheelchair basketball players’ pain management. While research exists on pain management in other sports and in people with disabilities, there hasn’t been much scientific literature focused specifically on professional wheelchair basketball. This review fills an important gap by bringing together what is known and creating practical guidance for this growing sport.

The main limitation is that this is a review of existing research rather than a new study with patients. The quality of the conclusions depends on the quality of the studies reviewed. Additionally, because wheelchair basketball is a relatively specialized sport, there may not be as much research available as there is for other sports, which could limit the evidence available. The review doesn’t provide specific numbers about how many players were studied across all the research reviewed, making it harder to judge how broadly the findings apply. Finally, anti-doping rules and supplement regulations change over time, so some recommendations may need updating as rules evolve.

The Bottom Line

For wheelchair basketball players managing muscle and joint pain: (1) Work with your medical team to develop a personalized physical therapy and strength training program—this is the foundation of pain management (High confidence); (2) Use pain medications like NSAIDs only when necessary and for the shortest time possible, always checking with your doctor that they’re allowed under anti-doping rules (Moderate-High confidence); (3) Before taking any dietary supplements, have your medical team verify they’re safe and don’t contain banned substances (High confidence); (4) Focus on injury prevention through proper technique, appropriate conditioning, and gradual increases in training intensity (High confidence).

This research is most relevant for: professional and competitive wheelchair basketball players, coaches and athletic trainers working with wheelchair basketball teams, sports medicine doctors and physical therapists treating wheelchair basketball players, and disability sports organizations. Athletes in other wheelchair sports may also find this information helpful since many of the principles apply broadly. This research is less relevant for recreational wheelchair basketball players or people without sports-related pain, though some prevention strategies could still be useful.

Physical therapy and strength training typically show improvements in pain and function within 2-4 weeks of consistent work, with more significant improvements over 8-12 weeks. Prevention strategies work best when started before injuries occur, so benefits appear as fewer injuries over a season. Pain medication relief is usually felt within hours to days, but the goal is to reduce reliance on medications over time as physical therapy improves. Most athletes should see meaningful improvements within 6-8 weeks of starting a comprehensive program, but individual timelines vary.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily pain levels (0-10 scale) in specific areas (shoulders, wrists, lower back, knees) and note which activities caused increased pain. Also log which treatments were used (physical therapy exercises, stretching, ice/heat, medication) and how they affected pain. This creates a personal pattern that shows what works best for your body.
  • Use the app to schedule and log your physical therapy exercises and strength training sessions. Set reminders for prevention exercises on non-game days. Create a checklist of warm-up and cool-down routines specific to wheelchair basketball. Before taking any new supplement or medication, log it in the app and review it with your medical team to check for anti-doping concerns.
  • Weekly review of pain patterns to identify which activities or training intensities increase pain. Monthly check-ins to assess whether your physical therapy program is reducing pain and improving function. Track seasonal patterns to see if pain increases during competition season. Share this data with your medical team quarterly to adjust your treatment plan as needed. Monitor any new pain or injury symptoms immediately and report them to your medical team.

This research review provides general information about pain management in wheelchair basketball and should not replace personalized medical advice from your doctor or sports medicine specialist. Every athlete’s situation is unique, and treatment plans should be tailored to your specific needs, medical history, and anti-doping status. Before starting any new treatment, medication, supplement, or exercise program, consult with your medical team. If you experience severe pain, swelling, or inability to move, seek immediate medical attention. This information is current as of 2025, but anti-doping rules and medical guidelines may change; always verify current regulations with your sports organization.