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SUNDAY, Aug. 24 (HealthDayNews) -- When you're playing beach volleyball this summer, don't let your hands get spiked by injury.

Thumb and finger sprains are common acute injuries suffered by volleyball players. Those injuries often occur when players try to block the volleyball.

In the case of many of these injuries, prompt diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation lets the injured player continue playing volleyball.

The Monash University Accident Research Center in Australia offers some advice on how to prevent hand and finger injuries in volleyball:

• Children and new players need to be introduced to the game progressively and taught proper technique for each of the basic skills. They need to practice those skills in a safe, controlled setting before they start to actually play volleyball.
• Players shouldn't wear rings or other jewelry. Coaches and officials need to enforce this rule.
• If a player does suffer a hand/finger injury, it should be immediately treated with ice and assessed by a doctor within 24 hours.
• Coaches and trainers need to be aware that hand/finger injuries can result in long-term adverse effects. Players should be advised against continuing play after they've suffered a hand/finger injury.
• Buddy taping (where the injured finger is taped together with an adjoining finger) or a finger brace should be worn in both practice and games after a player suffers a finger injury. The use of buddy taping or a finger brace should continue until the injured finger is healed, which may take several months.

More information

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons offers more tips on how to prevent volleyball injuries.