Sparring Injuries

Cauliflower Ear and Broken Eardrum

Without head protection, a blow to the ear may cause bleeding in the outer ear. If it is not drained by a doctor, the blood may form a hard mass, resulting in what is called a cauliflower ear.

The pressure of a fist against an exposed ear may also rupture an eardrum. If you have problems with your hearing, see an ear, nose, and throat specialist. Once your eardrum has been punctured, hearing loss will occur. However, over time and with no further injury, the eardrum itself may heal.

Joint Injuries 

A muscle can tear from rapid deceleration as a blow lands against an opponent's body. An arm may stop more suddenly than the shoulder and tear the shoulder muscles or the rotator cuff muscles inside the shoulder joint. Hips, knees, and elbows are also susceptible to injury.

Treat a joint injury by resting and icing it until the pain disappears.. Then stretch and strengthen the muscle as it heals.

Runner's knee is common in the martial arts because of the characteristic bent-knee stance and rapid, forceful kicks. The proper treatment is to correct the foot position to ease the stress on the knee. The problem is that most martial arts are done barefoot. Wearing an arch or orthodontic in your shoe in daily life will allow your knee pain to subside so that you can function on the mat without a shoe.