Sports injuries are extremely prevalent, which can give the false idea that they are not very serious. In reality, a sports injury can render someone unable to perform the most trivial daily tasks.
Unfortunately, some sports injuries can cause chronic symptoms that put a halt to the careers of professionals and significantly diminish the quality of life of regular people. For this reason, it is vital to listen to your body and watch out for unusual pain. You should also seek the help of a professional physiotherapist for a tailored recovery program.
In this article, we will cover a few serious signs and symptoms of severe injury and then discuss the role of physiotherapy in helping you get back on your feet again.
What are the signs and symptoms of a serious sports injury?
- Severe pain
Pain is inevitable during exercise. As the muscles get overworked, cramping and sores are completely normal.
However, severe pain that arises all of a sudden may be a sign of a serious injury. Stop exercising immediately and seek professional help. The earlier the medical intervention, the less severe the complications are.
- Unable to walk normally
When an injury makes you unable to walk properly, that’s also a bad sign. Of course, you may face trouble walking even with a benign injury. The only difference is that the latter subsides quickly.
If you are unable to walk with an injury, it is clear that you need the help of a healthcare professional.
- Swelling
Edema at the site of injury is a sign of an inflammatory process. It consists of microbes, fluids, and inflammatory proteins.
Swelling after an injury is very common. However, when it becomes large enough to fade your joints and bones, you should consult your doctor.
- Bleeding
This one is straightforward. Bleeding is not good.
Note that minor cuts are very common in sports. What we are talking about here are those injuries that cause abundant bleeding and do not stop.
Bleeding could also indicate an infection. This is why you need to carefully sterilize the site of injury with alcohol and band-aids.
If you notice bleeding, you should seek professional medical help as soon as possible.
- Bone misalignment
If you notice bone misalignment, that’s a clear sign of bone fracture. While some fractures are benign and heal without sequela, others may require specialized surgical care and months of recovery.
Head to the nearest hospital to get appropriate treatment from an orthopedic surgeon.
- Numbness
Numbness of your limbs is a sign of a neurological defect. The nerves in your back can get trapped or injured when you hurt your back. As a result, you will lose the sensitivity of your limbs or the ability to move them. Both signs are alarming and require immediate medical care.
Note that some patients may lose the ability to control their sphincters, leading to involuntary micturition and defecation.
- Discoloration of the skin
Skin discoloration or purpura may indicate bleeding or infection. While exercising, this sign is more indicative of a bleeding problem since infection takes days to develop.
Nevertheless, you need to stop exercising and go home until things clear out.
Remember that skin discoloration may not arise immediately. It can take many hours or days after injuring yourself.
What should you expect from sports injury rehabilitation?
Before your treatment, your physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive physical examination. But first, he/she will ask you questions about your medical and surgical history. As soon as a diagnosis is obtained, your therapist will create a recovery plan to help you practice your favorite sport again. The plan considers your strengths and weaknesses.
Your physiotherapist will also provide you with educational material, helpful tips, and a few exercise routines to do at home.
The different treatments in physiotherapy
In general, treating a sports injury focuses on medical interventions coupled with recovery exercises. Each program will be tailored to fit your specific needs.
Your physiotherapist may recommend the following therapeutic models:
- Graded activity
- Manual therapy
- Massage therapy
- Orthopedic massage
- Taping
- Electrotherapy
What we like the most about physiotherapy is its personalized nature. It is a one-size-fits-all approach. Every patient presents with a unique chief complaint and individual traits. Based on this information, coming up with a recovery plan will be much more effective.
The unique aspects of physiotherapy
Physiotherapy focuses on biomechanics, exercise rehabilitation, and individualized planning, allowing it to be superior compared to other treatments out there. We believe that physiotherapy is the best way to get back to your pre-injury state
Here is a list of some common sports injuries that may benefit from physiotherapy:
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Bursitis
- Total knee replacement rehabilitation
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Cruciate ligament
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Pains and sprains
- Post-operative rehabilitation
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Post spinal surgery
- Traumatic injuries
- Chronic pain
Are there any side effects to sports injury physiotherapy?
Like other treatment methods, physiotherapy may lead to a few side effects. For example, a long session of physiotherapy may cause some muscle soreness. Luckily, this is mostly temporary.
Depending on how well you react to treatment, your therapist will reinforce the techniques that produce the most positive results. Do not hesitate to ask your physiotherapist about the risks that can stem from these techniques. By doing that, you can make an informed decision on whether to accept it or not.
Another complication of physiotherapy is skin rash, which generally stems after massages, taping, and other manual treatments.
Sports injury physiotherapists can also refer you to other healthcare professionals when necessary.
Takeaway message
Physiotherapy is a very effective approach to help people recover from sports injuries. By creating a personalized plan, your recovery time will be reduced dramatically.
Hopefully, this article managed to shed some light on the benefits of physiotherapy in the field of sports injuries.
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