Returning to sport after injury? Here's what to consider!

Did you know that during the first game back after an injury, the chance of re-injury is 87% higher compared to regular season games. This includes the chance of muscle injury rate being 158% higher!

Returning to sport too soon can lead to an increased rate of re-injury.  

• You have a 15-25% chance of reinjuring your groin. 
  
• 44% more likely to re-injure your Achilles. 
  

• 30% more likely to reinjure your ACL after a reconstruction.  ​
  

This increased injury risk can be attributed to various factors which need to be considered in your rehab. ​

Common Questions

​how long is it going to take until I can play?

This is dependent on factors such as tissue healing, current presentation (e.g. range of motion, strength, biomechanics), sport-specific demands and amount of treatment. For example, a grade 2 hamstring strain can take up to 6 weeks to heal. It is important to note that this does not mean at 6 weeks you can return to sport, as after an injury occurs there is a period of deconditioning and adaptations which occur and need to be addressed. If it is not addressed, this increases your re-injury risk. ​

how can I return to play as soon as I can?

​Common sporting injuries have return-to-sport criteria which need to be met to decrease the risk of re-injury. For example, it is recommended that the injured limb needs to be able to perform testing at 90% compared to the non-injured side. The physiotherapist will discuss this with you and develop a plan on how to get there.

#physiolabs #physiotherapy #returntosport #rehabilitation #expectations ​

References

1. Bengtsson H, Ekstrand J, Waldén M, et al Few training sessions between return to play and first match appearance are associated with an increased propensity for injury: a prospective cohort study of male professional football players during 16 consecutive seasons British Journal of Sports Medicine 2020;54:427-432 
   

1. Ardern CL, Glasgow P, Schneiders A, Witvrouw E, Clarsen B, Cools A, Gojanovic B, Griffin S, Khan KM, Moksnes H, Mutch SA, Phillips N, Reurink G, Sadler R, Silbernagel KG, Thorborg K, Wangensteen A, Wilk KE, Bizzini M. 2016 Consensus statement on return to sport from the First World Congress in Sports Physical Therapy, Bern. Br J Sports Med. 2016 Jul;50(14):853-64. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096278. Epub 2016 May 25. PMID: 27226389. 
   

1. Burgi CR, Peters S, Ardern CL, Magill JR, Gomez CD, Sylvain J, Reiman MP. Which criteria are used to clear patients to return to sport after primary ACL reconstruction? A scoping review. Br J Sports Med. 2019 Sep;53(18):1154-1161. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099982. Epub 2019 Feb 2. PMID: 30712009. ​