Sports Injuries

Sports injuries involving the lower body are often knee injuries. Patellofemoral syndrome is often caused by a slip or fall onto the knees. There’s pain, swelling and an imbalance of the knee muscle in its groove. Strengthening exercises and stretching can help the muscles correct themselves. In addition to strengthening exercises, a physical therapist may use bracing techniques or knee taping for this injury.

The ACL is a major ligament in the knee. An ACL strain or tear can be caused by a sudden change in direction or coming to a sudden stop. Swelling and instability in movement occurs after an ACL tear. Whether you are treating it with or without surgery, physical therapy can assist with recovery.

The hip flexor muscles are located in the upper, front thigh. Sprinting, running inclines and sudden movement can cause a hip flexor strain. There may be bruising in the thigh area along with inflammation and pain. Stretching and range of motion exercises with a physical therapist assist with recovery. Stretching and range of motion exercises with a physical therapist assist with recovery.

With shin splints, there’s typically pain in the lower leg bone- the tibia. It’s common with runners. Rest and ice can ease the pain, and a good pair of shoes with arch support can help.

Sciatica is back pain that extends to the back of the leg. It’s often seen in cyclists and athletes who perform a lot of trunk rotation in swing sports like tennis and golf. The back pain may be caused by a pinched nerve or bulging disc. A physical therapist can help alleviate sciatica symptoms.

Shoulder injuries in sports range from dislocations and misalignments to strains and sprains of shoulder muscles and ligaments. The shoulder is a weak joint and prone to injuries during sports activities. A Physical or Occupational Therapist, along with other healthcare team members, can help find the cause of your pain and work with you to fix the problem.

This condition can be caused by overuse or improper recovery techniques. Repetitive actions inflame muscles and tendons in the forearm and wrist. Icing and rest generally help, but education, stretching techniques and strengthening exercises with a physical therapist can aid in avoiding recurrence in the future.

Also known as groin strain, the groin muscles can get strained with quick side-to-side movements when engaging in sports. Stretching and range of motion exercises can help with recovery.

The hamstring muscle is located in the back of the thigh. Stiffness and lack of flexibility in this muscle make it a prone to strains. If this condition persists more than two weeks, seeing a Physical Therapist can help you decrease pain, increase flexibility and return to normal activities.