The purpose of rehabilitation would be to have the person who has been injured recover to full function, says Jordan Sudberg.
Introduction;
The purpose of rehabilitation would be to have the person who has been injured recover to full function, says Jordan Sudberg. Injuries from sports are common and usually impact the musculoskeletal structure. It includes ligaments, muscles, bones, tendons, and soft tissues. All of these components aid in supporting the body weight and allowing mobility.
If you are injured, care must be taken when recovering because one mistake could cause a re-injury or an extended recovery time. Incomplete rehabilitation can result in injuries that are not serious becoming chronic, which could negatively affect the player’s performance and capability to return to the game.
Jordan Sudberg from the United States says that following a well-planned rehabilitation program is advised to ensure an effective recovery. It includes adhering to certain routines and exercises that are performed with diligence. Although not all injuries will be treated similarly, there are general guidelines to abide by to increase the odds of a speedy recovery.
Stages of Rehabilitation;
1. Rest and Protect the Injury:
The first step towards rehabilitation is ensuring the injury is not repeated. It will enable healing to begin and assist with the first physical reactions to injuries. Pain and inflammation are the common first reactions. Inflammation is a body’s defensive response to anything harmful. It helps remove dead or damaged tissue and replaces it with average tissue growth. It is essential to minimize the sensation of pain and ensure you shield the area that has been injured to ensure no further damage or pain is caused.
A procedure like applying a bandage or an envelope on the injured region is an excellent method to protect the injured and avoid infection or injuries, says Jordan Sudberg. They can also aid in preventing the body from moving to encourage rest and start the healing process. Ice packs can help in reducing swelling and inflammation. In addition, taking an anti-inflammatory or analgesic medication is also a possibility to ease pain. A physical therapist or a doctor may assist in determining the severity of damage and how best to shield it when you are resting and when prescribing any medication needed.
2. Joints Recovery:
Give yourself a rest period, take care of the joint, and allow swelling and pain to diminish. The following step will attempt to regain the maximum range of motion within the affected joint. The return to flexibility can be accomplished without causing significant discomfort. Some discomfort can be expected, making it more difficult to move like you were before your injury.
This process requires muscle stretching, joint mobilization, and therapeutic exercise to assist in the movement. Any interventions that are used must be done with care to avoid injuries. Your physiotherapist can help you with activities to restore your mobility and enhance your function.
3. Recovery of Muscle Strength:
Now, the focus is paid to rebuilding muscle strength and gaining endurance. The new tissue that is less durable has replaced dead or damaged tissue. So, when recovering from an injury, you will likely suffer muscle fatigue and endurance loss. The longer time you spend in a non-training environment, the longer recovery can take at this point. The conditioning process must begin to strengthen and remodel the tissue created, allowing the athlete to return to the peak of their performance.
A physiotherapist will likely recommend aerobic or cardiovascular training to increase endurance. It usually starts with easy exercises such as swimming or cycling stationary bikes, says Jordan Sudberg. By ensuring proper form and low impact, your muscle groups will develop a perfect condition, aiding in more significant recovery. The concept of load progression can be utilized to gradually build the endurance and strength of this muscle and avoid overloading that could result in setbacks.
4. Recovery of Coordination:
Sports activities typically involve various complex moves that require spatial awareness and the positioning of limbs at any moment. When you suffer from bodily injuries, lesions can develop on the musculoskeletal framework, causing changes in the proprioceptive mechanism. They could affect a person’s ability to control muscle movements properly and keep equilibrium.
This ability is weakened in the recovery process, but it is rehabilitated through specific exercises that address issues ranging from balance to hand-eye coordination. Restoring neuromuscular control and spatial awareness can reduce the likelihood of re-injury and improve the chances of returning to competition. The exercises a physiotherapist would use will be based on how the patient performs while performing a movement assessment.
5. Recovery of Sport-Specific Technical Movements:
The different sports have their distinct range of motions. The way footballers perform a move is distinctive from the way basketball players move. The last step of recovery involves helping a person regain the ability to execute complicated movements unique to their sport of choice. In this stage, the emphasis is on various aspects of training, including speed, coordination, agility, and balance. It can be anything from simple to more complex tasks, such as kicking a football through the net or playing with it.
At this point, it is recommended that the athlete be able to return to full training and intensity. It will be followed by more time in the game until their performance and form are restored.
Conclusion;
The decision to resume full-time play could be based on the evaluation and suggestions given by the doctor, trainer, physiotherapist, and coach, says Jordan Sudberg. The athlete’s opinions should also be considered because their perception of physical and mental health can affect their ability to return to full playing.
