Experiencing a sports injury can be physically painful and emotionally challenging for athletes at all levels. Physically, it might range from a mild discomfort to severe pain, depending on the nature and extent of the injury. Emotionally, there is anxiousness about the recovery time, prognosis or fear of being sidelined from your activity. According to a health survey conducted by Statistic Canada, 35% of injuries occur during sports or exercise. For youths between 12 and 19 years old, sports cause 66% of these injuries. This could include ligament sprains, muscle strains or fractures.
For athletes, any injury, whether minor or severe, can feel like a significant obstacle.
This is where getting Physiotherapy treatment becomes vital. It goes beyond just healing and rehabilitation; it empowers athletes to regain strength, confidence, and functionality.
A Physiotherapist assists in understanding the nature of the injury, setting achievable recovery goals, and developing a customized program. This rehabilitation program specifically caters to the individual’s needs and the demands of their sport.
If you or someone you know is facing such a challenge, it might be the right time to explore Physiotherapy treatment at Bridgwater Physiotherapy on Taylor Avenue. We are centrally located in the River Heights Community in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Give us a call!
Common Sports Injuries Treated with Physiotherapy Treatment
The following are some of the most frequently treated sports injuries using Physiotherapy.
ACL Rupture
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is crucial for knee joint stability. A torn ACL, often caused by a direct blow to the knee, improper landing or rapid directional changes, is intensely painful and limits physical function. Surgical intervention is typically necessary depending on the demands of your activities. Patients will require post-surgical rehabilitation following a very specific treatment protocol. These sessions aim to rehabilitate the knee: to restore function, decrease swelling, increase range of motion and to guide the individual in returning to regular activities or sports.
Sprained Ankle
A sprained ankle occurs when the supporting ligaments on either the outer side of ankle (Anterior Talofibular / Calcaneal Fibular / Posterior Talofibular Ligament) or inner side of ankle (Deltoid Ligament – aAnterior and Posterior Tibiotalar / Tibionavicular / Tibiocalcaneal Ligament) is stretched beyond its normal range. This is often due to missteps on uneven surfaces, landing on another player’s foot when jumping, or twisting the ankle when walking or running. This is a common injury in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer.
Using the RICE method – rest, ice, compression, and elevation can help the recovery process.
Physiotherapy is necessary to regain range of motion, decrease swelling, increase proprioception and functional strength prior to returning to sports or regular activities.
Torn MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament of the Knee Joint)
This is a type of knee injury occurring when the medial collateral ligament, connecting the femur to the tibia (thigh bone to the shin bone) is injured often due to a lateral force on the knee. Treatment involves ice, compression, and exercise rehabilitation overseen by a Physiotherapist.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) is typically an overuse injury impacting the outer part of the elbow. This injury does not always relate to tennis players, but to individuals who use their arm repetitively (eg. computer work, construction, shovelling, gripping, etc.). Relative rest and Physiotherapy treatment typically aid in recovery.
Physical Therapy for Sports Injuries
Prevention/Pre-Rehabilitation Strategies
Preventive and pre-rehabilitation strategies form a crucial aspect of rehabilitation. Patients will work on stability, balance, strength, and proprioception. These approaches are vital in preserving and enhancing function and addressing the impact of movement problems before they worsen.
Electrical Modalities
Electrical modalities, such as Interferential Current (IFC), TENS and ultrasound are used in Physiotherapy for therapeutic purposes. Interferential Current involves using low-frequency electrical currents to manage pain and promote tissue healing. TENS can help block pain pathways to your brain. Ultrasound utilizes high-frequency sound waves to enhance tissue healing and reduce inflammation. These modalities are applied to address various musculoskeletal conditions, including pain management, tissue repair, and rehabilitation after injuries or surgeries.
Manual Therapy
Physiotherapists at Bridgwater Physiotherapy aim to treat musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions through a hands-on technique; if deemed appropriate after a thorough assessment. This includes joint mobilization, manipulation, soft tissue massage, and stretching exercises. Physiotherapists use manual therapy to relieve pain, enhance joint mobility, improve muscle flexibility, and address issues like stiffness or muscle spasms.
How Does Physiotherapy Treatment in Sports Injury Rehabilitation Help?
Sports injuries often result in considerable pain and discomfort, hindering athletes’ training and competitive abilities. Physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in rehabilitating sports injuries by assisting athletes in recovering physical function, alleviating pain and inflammation, and preventing future injuries. The following outlines various ways in which Physiotherapy can be beneficial for athletes undergoing sports injury recovery:
Pain Management
Injured athletes commonly experience pain, restricting their daily activities and training participation. In such cases, working with a Physiotherapist helps reduce inflammation, enhance blood flow, promote healing; ultimately alleviating pain and discomfort. They employ various techniques like manual therapy, heat or cold therapy, exercise prescription and electrotherapy to manage pain effectively.
Restoring Mobility and Flexibility
Sports injuries often lead to diminished mobility and flexibility, significantly impacting an athlete’s performance. Physiotherapy utilizes exercises and stretching techniques to restore joint mobility and flexibility, enabling athletes to move and perform optimally.
Strengthening Muscles
Post-injury, athletes commonly contend with muscle weakness, which can impede their ability to perform at previous levels. This is where a Physiotherapist employs targeted exercises to strengthen weakened muscles, facilitating the regaining of strength and endurance.
Preventing Future Injuries
A notable advantage of Physiotherapy in sports injury rehabilitation is its capacity to prevent future injuries. By identifying and addressing the root causes of an injury, Physiotherapy assists athletes in averting similar injuries in the future. Moreover, they offer guidance on injury prevention techniques, encompassing warm-up and cool-down exercises, appropriate equipment usage, and safe effective training practices.
Facilitating Return to Sport
Sports injury rehabilitation aims to enable athletes to return to their sport swiftly and safely. Physiotherapy is instrumental in aiding athletes to regain physical function, strength, and endurance. A certified physiotherapist proves helpful here in guiding safe return-to-sport protocols, ensuring athletes gradually reintegrate into physical activity to minimize the risk of re-injury.
Physical Therapy Treatment for Sports Injuries
Exercise Rehabilitation
Exercise is a crucial aspect of rehabilitation. Depending on the athlete’s injury, they will work on range of motion, stability, balance, strength, and proprioception. Physiotherapist’s at Bridgwater Physiotherapy place an emphasis on ensuring prescribed exercises are relevant to each athlete’s sport. They incorporate sport specific drills and movement patterns during rehabilitation sessions. These approaches are vital in preserving and enhancing function.
Manual Therapy
Physiotherapists at Bridgwater Physiotherapy aim to treat musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions through a hands-on technique; if deemed appropriate after a thorough assessment. This includes joint mobilization, manipulation, soft tissue massage, and stretching exercises. Physiotherapists use manual therapy to relieve pain, enhance joint mobility, improve muscle flexibility, and address issues like stiffness or muscle spasms.
Electrical Modalities
Electrical modalities, such as Interferential Current (IFC), TENS and ultrasound are used in Physiotherapy for therapeutic purposes. Interferential Current involves using low-frequency electrical currents to manage pain and promote tissue healing. TENS can help block pain pathways to your brain. Ultrasound utilizes high-frequency sound waves to enhance tissue healing and reduce inflammation. These modalities are applied to address various musculoskeletal conditions, including pain management, tissue repair, and rehabilitation after injuries or surgeries.
Conclusion
Physiotherapy treatment is pivotal in the recovery process of sports injuries. It focuses on identifying and tackling the root causes of the injury, offering pain relief, reinstating mobility and functionality, and thwarting potential re-injury. Utilizing techniques like cold compression therapy, exercise therapy, and modalities such as ultrasound and electrotherapy, Physiotherapy treatments assist athletes in resuming their sport confidently, focusing on minimizing the risk of injury recurrence.
At Bridgwater Physiotherapy, our Physiotherapist are dedicated to swiftly getting you back on your feet—or starting blocks. Whether dealing with muscle strains, ligament sprains or fractures, our Physiotherapists prioritize function and mobility, ensuring you emerge stronger than before. Contact us to schedule your appointment.
