Likely Injuries in Judo

**shutterspeed** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 2:23am

Injuries I know of (or saw) first hand from people I trained with doing judo: broken clavicle, torn knee ligament, busted shoulder (me), busted lip.

**ghosttraingray** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 4:13am

Thanks for the replies.

Perhaps it's worthwhile to lift weights for a while and build muscle for protective purposes before going out for judo classes, then? I'd also do this in tandem with running to build stamina and strengthen my body some more.

Cheers.

**ty5** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 4:39am

Stop being a wuss mate and go join a class, I am quite old to be starting Judo (36), and have survived my first 3 months, and it was hard randori from day one. Just beware of the spazzing new guys or the lower grades with muscle and no technique, and also don't be the spazzing new guy.

The only thing I worry about are my ears, so I am very 'ear aware' whilst training. Way I see it if Royce Gracie still has normal looking ears then so can I.

**philmgriffin** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 4:45am

Originally Posted by ghosttraingray

Thanks for the replies.

Perhaps it's worthwhile to lift weights for a while and build muscle for protective purposes before going out for judo classes, then? I'd also do this in tandem with running to build stamina and strengthen my body some more.

Cheers.

Nah, just do it!
You can't really get a feel for Judo until you have given it a go.
Find yourself a friendly class that is well run and supervised then get on the mat and have a go.

Good luck.

**CrackFox** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 5:26am

Originally Posted by ty5

The only thing I worry about are my ears, so I am very 'ear aware' whilst training. Way I see it if Royce Gracie still has normal looking ears then so can I.

I've been told cauliflower ear is a genetic thing. Some guys get it and some are immune.

**FourT6and2** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 7:53am

My injuries while involved with Judo have been a torn/separated AC joint (shoulder) and some weird thing with my fingers where they got all stiff and sore in the mornings. But I think I was just gripping too hard. Other than that, just the occasional bump and bruise.

**FourT6and2** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 7:55am

Originally Posted by CrackFox

I've been told cauliflower ear is a genetic thing. Some guys get it and some are immune.

False. It is certainly not genetic. It is a contact injury and results from not treating the damaged cartilage in your ear properly. There may be a predisposition to getting hurt more easily or something. But cauliflower ear can happen to anybody.

**judoka_uk** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 8:42am

Originally Posted by ghosttraingray

Thanks for the replies.

Perhaps it's worthwhile to lift weights for a while and build muscle for protective purposes before going out for judo classes, then? I'd also do this in tandem with running to build stamina and strengthen my body some more.

Cheers.

Just do it.

You could spend your whole life preparing and it would still not guarantee you wouldn't be injured.

Stop looking for reasons not to start and just get started.

**hungryjoe** · Posted On: 7/31/2011 11:46am

My days of flying arm bars have passed (-;

**NeilG** · Posted On: 8/01/2011 8:48pm

It's illegal to attack the fingers. Nevertheless you do see a lot of taped fingers around. If as a beginner you avoid the whole grip fighting game thing that would be helpful. As others have pointed out avoiding gripping the inside of the sleeve is also a good idea - its illegal to protect the attacker's own fingers.

Having said that I haven't had a finger injury in the 8 years or so I've been back in judo as an adult. But then my club is recreational.