Acute injury management: Returning to summer sport

Getting back into those summer sports can be tricky for some, as exposure to physical activity again can sometimes lead to acute injuries. In this blog, we'll give you some tips and tricks to help in the early stages, but in the clinic, we can help guide your rehab journey.

Commonly, muscle and tendon sprains and strains make up the bulk of sporting injuries, especially early on in the summer season when most of these injuries take place. On the less common side, you have fractures, concussions, and dislocations. These injuries require expert assessment and treatment and should be looked at as soon as possible.

In terms of managing these acute injuries, typically the RICE protocol is usually adhered to;

R: rest

I: ice

C: compression

E: elevation

However, there are a lot more factors that go into these types of injuries than just an ice pack. Depending on the severity of the injury, return to sport protocols play a big part in managing expectations and goals when it comes to rehab. Setting realistic expectations and helping you on your rehab journey is something we strive for here at The Physio Co.

The good news is that before you come and see us, you can self-manage your injury and help facilitate early recovery.

The main way of moving forward after an injury is staying positive. The body is an amazing piece of kit and is exceptionally good at healing itself. Whether you've sprained your calf muscle or fractured your ankle, your body will eventually get you back on track.

Looking at sprains and strains, maintaining as much movement as your body will allow is key to helping you get back to sport sooner rather than later. Staying active is a good way to facilitate that healing response and get your mind and body used to moving again. Utilizing heat and/or ice can be a good mediator for pain, as well as anti-inflammatory creams or pain relief. It's always best to get these checked out by a professional too as we can help rule in or out any serious injury you may have sustained.

With the more serious injuries like your fractures, concussions, and dislocations, these tend to require immediate medical intervention to avoid any further complications. Getting checked over early can help get you on the recovery journey faster.

A bonus with us at The Physio Co is that you don't need a GP referral or a specialist referral for those sporting injuries. You can come in and see us for any type of injury (sports related or not) and we can help put you on that path to recovery!