What are Sports Injuries?

It occurs when the tissues exceed the endurance limit as a result of the entire or a part of the athlete's body encountering a force greater than normal. Any damage to the organism caused by internal or external reasons, single or repetitive, during sporting activities can be called sports injury. Sports injuries are divided into acute injuries and overuse injuries. Conditions such as physical structure, age, gender, previous injuries are among the factors that may cause injury.

Types of Sports Injuries

Soft tissue injuries
muscle injuries
tendon injuries
Ligament injuries
Bursa injuries
Bone tissue injuries
Joint and articular cartilage injuries
nerve injuries
skin injuries
General Treatment Principles in Sports Injuries

Treatment must begin immediately after the injury and continue until the athlete returns to his/her previous performance level.

The aim of treatment is to restore normal function as quickly as possible and prevent recurrent injury. The goal should be 100% recovery.

The best treatment is early and correct treatment.
Special treatment methods should be used according to the structure of the tissue.
Pretreatment

The first starting point of treatment is quick and special care.
Evaluation should be done carefully and early.
The purpose of early intervention is to minimize the body's response.
Protection: In order to prevent further tissue injury, swelling and bleeding, it is necessary to support and prevent the use of the injured part. Bandages should be preferred in the acute period, and taping and orthoses should be preferred in later periods.

Rest: Not using the injured part allows the body to repair itself in the early period after the injury. In upper extremity injuries, a triangle sling can be given, and in lower extremity injuries, crutches can be given and the injured area can be rested.

Ice:  The most important effect is to reduce circulation. It provides a decrease in pain, a decrease in muscle spasm, a decrease in metabolism and a decrease in inflammation.

Compression: Local pressure application is used to stop and control bleeding.

Elevation: It is applied to control and eliminate edema that develops after injury. It can be applied for 20 minutes every 2 hours, combined with cold and compression.

Stabilization:  The athlete must be given a suitable position.

Sports Injuries and Physiotherapy

Rehabilitation includes all the procedures necessary to return athletes to their previous level of function as soon as possible. Rehabilitation is divided into 3 phases:

Acute Phase

Acute phase rehabilitation period goals;
Creating a suitable environment for tissue healing
Reduce inflammation and pain
Restoring pain-free ROM (range of motion)
Delaying muscle atrophy
What can be done in the acute phase?

Pain symptoms are reduced with appropriate physical therapy modalities and rest.
ROM exercises should start in the pain-free range and can be done passively if tolerated.
Isometric exercises are performed for the relevant muscle groups.
Closed kinetic chain exercises can be started with light loads.
Flexibility exercises are performed.
Healing Phase

Regaining and improving muscle flexibility, strength, balance and endurance of the extremity
Improving neuromuscular control in all aspects of movement
To ensure normal range of motion of the joint
What Can Be Done During the Healing Phase?

Active assisted exercises are started.
It starts with light resistance exercises, and the resistance is gradually increased according to progression.
Proprioception exercises and PNF patterns are applied.
Stretching exercises are performed.
Functional Phase

Methods to develop sports-specific strength; high speed isokinetic exercises, high speed isotonic exercises using weights or tires in all directions, plyometrics and advanced open and closed chain activities.
Plyometric exercises and advanced closed kinetic chain activities can be practiced in this phase.