HPR 378-Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries

							Rehabilitation of Athletic Injuries
Goals of Rehabilitation

Over All Goals of Rehabilitation
• Full Range of Motion, both active and passive. • Normal strength and power. • Normal coordinated patterns of movement with injury compensated movement (limping) eliminated. • Pain free movements during activity.

Review: Stages of Rehabilitation
• Stage one: Joint Immobilization-Tissue Healing • Stage two: Pain Free Weight Bearing (removal of all forms of immobilization) • Stage three: Increased Resistance • Stage four: Functional Progression Exercises. • Stage five: Sports Specific Activities

Criteria That Should Be Measured Prior to Rehabilitation.
• • • • Strength Power Endurance Balance between antagonistic muscle groups • Flexibility • Proprioception • Functional Use of the extremity • Sport Specific Skills

Common Mistakes on Rehabilitation
• Often concentrated on single limb or muscle group. • Rehab is incomplete and athlete returns too soon. • Postural defects are neglected. • Exercises for developing proprioception are forgotten. • Functional Progressive exercises and specific sports skills are not introduced.

Rehabilitation Programs should be designed to:
• • • • • Monitor progression Ensure safety of athlete Allow periods of evaluation Have cooperation and input of coach Provide good psychological climate

Rehabilitation Programs should be designed to:
• Fulfill the needs of the athlete… returning to pre-injury levels • Prevent de-conditioning of total body • Rehabilitation of the body part without hampering the healing process

Effects of Immobilization on Muscle-Atrophy and Fiber Changes
• Loss of muscle mass • Greatest atrophy occurs in type I (slow twitch fibers) • Overtime, slow twitch muscles develop fast twitch characteristics • Muscle immobilized in lengthened or neutral position tensed to atrophy less • Immobilization in a shorten position encourages atrophy and loss of contractibility

Atrophy and Fiber Changes (cont.)
• In a lengthen position, isometric contraction and Electro-muscle Stimulation can be done • Protein is lost from muscle, protein synthesis is reduced <35% • Motor Neuron discharge decreased <5% to 15%

Effects of Inactivity: Short Term and Long Term
• • • • Loss of physical fitness Loss of muscle strength Loss of endurance Loss of coordination

Short Term Goals in Rehabilitation
• Should be determined for every treatment. • Usually established for a one-week or two week period. • Are redefined at the time of every evaluation so that change/progress can be made.

Long Term Goals in Rehabilitation
• Provide DIRECTION to the treatment plan. • Determine WHAT MUST be accomplished so athlete returns successfully to full athletic competition. • Determine the overall efficacy of the rehabilitation program

Reasons for Goal Setting
• Provides motivation to athlete. • Provides incentive to attain a certain physical condition in a defined amount of time. • Provides realistic timetables for athlete, coach, family

• Prevents unnecessary pressure on the Athletic Training staff. • Allows the athlete to rehab without additional pressure from coaches

Rehabilitation Goals Need To Be:
• • • • • • Realistic Objective Measurable Provide direction Allow evaluation Signify progress

• Thank You for your Attention