If you’ve suffered a sports injury the first thing you often think is, wow, that doesn’t feel great (or some other similarly controlled emotion-filled response… ) and soon after start to wonder what have i done?

To help you out, we’ve put together a few basics on some of the more common sports injuries that can occur. As always follow good early injury management principles of compression, elevation, relative rest and using short periods of icing.

Then, speak to your physio who’ll be able to assess you thoroughly to work out what injury you have, what management is most beneficial and most importantly how to get you on the road to recovery so you can get back in the game!

Muscle strains

Most often occur with a memorable moment or action, accompanied with a sudden onset of pain, often happen when the muscle is asked to work under a high accelerating or decelerating load.

Could be felt as a pain, pulling, popping, tearing or tightness sensation in the muscle.

Hamstring (back of thigh), calf (back of lower leg) and quadriceps (front of thigh) strains are some of the most common areas for injury, but these can occur in any muscle.

Muscle may be painful to touch, stretch and contract.

Sometimes referred to as a muscle tear when a significant portion of the muscle is involved.

Successful recovery can take anywhere from 1 week for a very minor strain, up to more than 8+ weeks for a significant tear.

Muscle strains have a relatively high rate of re-injury compared to other injuries, often due to a rushed return to exercise or inadequate strengthening during the rehab phase.

Keys to a successful recovery: Allow these adequate recovery time (guided by your physio) and ensure you get your full strength back to reduce the chances of re-injury.

 

Ligament sprains

These involve an over-stretching of the fibrous ligament that connects one bone to another.

Most often occur with a sudden, uncontrolled movement that stresses the ligament beyond its capacity.

Very minor (Grade I) sprains may not keep you out of sport for long, while severe (Grade III) sprains can mean a longer term rehab, moon boot, bracing or taping for protection in the recovery phase or even reconstructive surgery.

Sports that involve direction change and close contact with other players have higher rates of ligament injuries – think football, basketball, netball, hockey and soccer.

Keys to successful recovery: Protect these early from further injury and control swelling, then regain full movement and muscle control before returning to sport.

 

Tendon pain

Tendon pain, which may be referred to as tendinopathy or tendonitis, often comes on after a spike in your exercise efforts.

May initially be sorer after exercise than than during without a specific moment of onset noticed.

Usually involve local pain directly over the tendon and can be sore to push on, contract or stretch.

A sudden increase in “training load” – the volume, intensity or nature of exercise, is often the greatest risk factor.

Rehab often requires a short spell of reduced exercise loads or rest, then a gradual reintroduction of controlled or static strengthening exercises, before adding more dynamic, higher speed exercises later.

Keys to successful recovery: Unload the tendon for a short time and stick to your structured rehab plan.

Joint impingement or bone bruising

Joint compression injuries often involve a memorable, high impact injury that compresses the smooth cartilage and bones surfaces of the joint.

Early assessment is needed to exclude any true bone fracture or cartilage injury.

Can be associated with ligament or tendon injury also

These can be slow to improve (requires patience!!) where significant bone bruising has occurred.

Lower impact exercise may be used during the recovery phase to maintain conditioning, strength and movement – options like hydrotherapy or exercise bike

Keys to successful recovery: Rest early, and be patient with returning to impact exercise.

 

These are just some of the sports injuries we help clients with everyday. As always  if you’ve been injured seek professional assessment and follow your rehab plan to get the best outcome possible. We’re always happy to answer any queries over the phone if you’re looking for early advice after suffering an injury. Just give the clinic a call on 8357 0418 and ask to speak to one of our physio team.