Among several key priorities during post-injury rehab from any kind of sports injury, return to play protocols are high on any list. How do you know when you’re ready to return to sports following an injury, and which key benchmarks help with this concept?
At ImPackt Physical Therapy, we’re proud to offer a variety of return to sports assessments and related post-injury rehab services, helping patients around Riverton, South Jordan and other nearby parts of Utah get back to their favorite sports safely and effectively – and without heightened recurring injury risk. Here are some of the key areas we focus on here, from the risks of returning too soon to various benchmarks we use to determine athlete readiness – and how our physical therapists assist in creating return to sports assessments and routines.
Risks of Returning to Sports Too Early
There are several key risks that may present themselves in athletes who attempt to return to play too soon after an injury:
- Increased risk of re-injury: Returning to sports too early can lead to a higher chance of experiencing another injury at the same site or in a different area. This is due to the fact that the body has not had enough time to fully heal and recover from the initial injury.
- Compromised performance: When an athlete returns to play before they are fully recovered, their performance may suffer. They may not be able to perform at their usual level and could potentially put themselves at a disadvantage on the field or court.
- Delayed healing: By returning too soon, an athlete may actually delay their overall healing process. This can cause setbacks and prolong the overall recovery time.
- Mental hesitation or fear: If an athlete returns to play before they are fully confident in their physical abilities, they may hesitate or hold back during practice and games. This can lead to further injuries or a decline in performance.
Common Assessments for Return to Sports
There are several ways of assessing whether a given athlete is ready for a return to play during their post-injury rehab. Some of these include:
Benchmark Tracking
One of the most common ways to assess an athlete’s readiness for return to play is by tracking their progress through a series of benchmarks. These benchmarks may include strength testing, range of motion measurements, and functional tests specific to the sport. By consistently monitoring these measures and comparing them to pre-injury levels, medical professionals can gauge how well an athlete’s body has recovered.
Range of Motion Testing
Narrowing in on one particular measure, range of motion testing is a key component in determining an athlete’s readiness for return to play. Range of motion refers to the amount of movement that can occur at a joint, and it can be impacted by factors such as muscle strength, tissue healing, and pain levels.
During range of motion testing, an athlete will typically be asked to perform specific movements at various joints in their body. These movements may include flexion (bending), extension (straightening), rotation, or abduction/adduction (movement away from or towards the body’s midline). The measurements taken during these tests are compared to norms for their age and sport, as well as pre-injury levels.
Mental Readiness
In addition to the physical side of things, it is important for athletes to also focus on their mental readiness when returning from an injury. The psychological impact of an injury should not be underestimated, as it can affect an athlete’s confidence, motivation, and overall well-being.
Athletes may experience a range of emotions after being injured, such as frustration, anger, sadness, and even fear of re-injury. It is important for them to work through these emotions in a healthy way and develop coping strategies to help them maintain a positive mindset during the recovery process.
How Physical Therapists Help
Physical therapists often play a couple key roles in this process:
- Assessing readiness: With their expertise in anatomy and movement, physical therapists can evaluate an athlete’s readiness to return to sport and create a personalized plan for rehabilitation.
- Providing education: Physical therapists can teach athletes about the injury, the healing process, and the importance of following their prescribed exercises and treatments. This education can help athletes better understand their recovery journey and make informed decisions.
- Developing exercise programs: Physical therapists are trained in creating exercise programs that target specific areas of the body. They can design programs that not only aid in recovery but also maintain overall fitness during the downtime from training or competition.
At ImPackt Physical Therapy, we’re proud to assist patients around Riverton, South Jordan and nearby parts of Utah with all their return to sports needs, from assessments to exercise programs and more. Contact us today for information on these or any of our post-injury rehab programs!
