From weekend warriors to professional athletes, the most common question we hear after a client has suffered a sports injury is, “when can I play again?”
Return to play refers to the point in injury recovery when an athlete is able to return to their preferred activity at a pre-injury performance level. Naturally, the severity of the injury, and the fitness level and motivation of the athlete will determine the length of a rehabilitation training program. Additionally, careful consideration must be given to injury prevention. Simply stated returning to sport should be viewed as a recovery and rehabilitation continuum.
Generally, return to play goals include:
Achieving a normal range of motion
Decreasing acute pain
Decreasing swelling
Increasing strength of the affected area
Improving balance and coordination
Assessing the functional requirements of the sport being played and the functional capabilities of the athlete
Focusing on sport specific strength, conditioning and skill
Mentally preparing
Injuries can be overwhelming, frustrating and downright annoying. However, we are confident our Advanced Physiotherapy team will create a customized rehab plan and program designed to get you back in the game in no time!