Sports Injury & Physiotherapy Treatment

Common Sports Injuries and Risk Factors

The most common sports injuries occur while exercising, playing sports, or happen as a result of an accident. They include:

• Sprains and strains

Sprains and strains have common symptoms but involve different parts of the body. Sprains occur when ligaments are stretched beyond normal range of motion whereas a strain is damage to a muscle or tendon pulled too far. Ankles are often sprained whereas strains occur in the back, shoulder or hamstring.

• Knee injuries

Besides being the largest joint in our bodies, the knee is the most injured. A very common injury to the knee is tearing the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. Those who play soccer, basketball or football are likely candidates to experience an ACL injury. Often it includes damage to cartilage, other ligaments and the meniscus.

Stopping suddenly, landing from a jump, changing direction while running, and collisions can all cause such a knee injury.

• Fractures

Fractures are broken bones. Fractures frequently occur while playing football or any contact sport. Outside of sports a fall or a car accident can also cause fractures.

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone or bruising within a bone caused by overuse and common with running sports like basketball and soccer. The foot and lower leg are especially vulnerable. A sudden increase in activity is a major cause of stress fractures.

• Concussions

There has been increased attention paid to concussions in sports in the last few years. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or blow to the body when it results in a sudden head movement. It is sometimes difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may not be immediately noticeable and the person may not lose consciousness.

Appearing dazed, having balance issues, changes in mood, headaches, dizziness, problems with memory or concentration, and sensitivity to light are all symptoms of a concussion. Confusion and changes in behavior may indicate a severe concussion. Anyone with a diagnosed concussion should not return to play until completely recovered. Second Impact Syndrome can cause the brain to swell and a trigger a loss of control of the blood flow to the brain.

• Dislocations

A common dislocation playing sports occurs in the shoulder. Because the shoulder can move in many different directions, it is vulnerable to dislocation. Shoulders can be dislocated partially where the upper arm bone is partially out of the socket, and completely, where the bone is completely out of the socket. The dislocation can be forward, backward or downward. Those who participate in throwing sports like a quarterback in football are susceptible to have dislocations. They result in pain, swelling and bruising.

• Painful Shin

Common with runners, dancers, and military personnel, a painful shin is also known as shin splints. This refers to the shinbone, or tibia, which runs down the front of the lower leg. It occurs with overuse and a change in or increase in training routines. The bones, tendons, and muscles become overworked, resulting in tenderness and pain, along with swelling in your lower leg.

• Injuries to the Achilles tendon

The Achilles tendon stretches from your heel bones to your calf muscles. Injuries are common among runners and jumpers and in both amateur and professional athletes. With Achilles tendonitis it becomes swollen and painful. Runners, those in gymnastics, who play football, baseball, hockey, and even dancers are likely to suffer tendon injuries. Sprinters can be especially susceptible to injuries of the Achilles tendon at the beginning of a race with their sudden movement forward.

Treatments at PhysioActive for Sports Injuries

Most simple sports injuries should be treated first by stopping play. Our bodies need rest to heal. A combination of Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation or RICE, is effective in the acute stages of healing. Beyond that at-home remedy, many sports injuries require additional intervention for a full recovery and future injury prevention.

Physiotherapy for Sports Injuries

• Physiotherapy
• Acupuncture can help pain, blood supply and general healing
• Advice & Education
• ‘Core’ Stability Strengthening: Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization
• Deep Transverse Frictions
• Electrotherapy
• Exercise Therapy
• Gaitscan / Force Plate Evaluation
• ‘Hands on’ Treatments
• Joint Mobilisation and Manipulations
• Kinesiotaping
• Magnetic Biostimulation
• Myofascial Release Techniques
• Postural Taping & Education
• Prescription Orthotics: Custom Foot Orthotics may be part of a treatment plan for knee injuries, sprains and strains, Achilles tendonitis, and shin splints.
• Scar Tissue Mobilisations
• Soft Tissue Treatments
• Sports Massage
• Spinal Traction
• Taping
• Therapeutic Modalities or Engergies

Performance Enhancement Services

• Biomechanical Video Analysis
• Gaitscan
• Sports Massage
• Warm Up

Active Health & Wellbeing

• Pilates
• Yoga – Individual and Group

PhysioActive has advanced treatment protocols for any sports injury whether it be a result of playing sports, exercising, or an accident. In most cases we will utilize a multiple sports physiotherapy treatment approach tailored for your particular injury. Trust the professionals at PhysioActive to find the appropriate means to facilitate your healing and mobility.

Our two-part assessment is needed for effective treatment of nagging or chronic injuries: Our physiotherapists are trained to assess no only what hurts, but more importantly we delve deeper to determine why your injury is persisting or why it returns. This second evaluation of other areas in your body and other systems is what sets our clinic apart from others. This is why we leave 1 full hour available for our assessments to provide sufficient time to determine all contributing factors to your injury.

Contact us today if you or someone you know has suffered a sports injury and needs guidance and professional physiotherapy treatment to fully recover.