Rehabilitation Principles Athletic Injury Rehabilitation Identifiable sequential phases

Rehabilitation Principles

Athletic Injury Rehabilitation • Identifiable, sequential “phases” – four phases for rehabilitation • Specific therapeutic objectives for the phases • Measurable, objective criteria for progression to each phase

Phase I • The period of time immediately following injury or surgery during which movement in the affected part is either (1) involuntarily limited because of pain, swelling, muscle spasm, etc. or (2) purposely restricted by immobilization

Phase I: Therapeutic Objectives • Teach proper ambulation techniques if necessary • Assist the healing process through modalities • Minimize muscular atrophy or strength loss • Retard the development of adhesions • Maintain level of overall physical fitness

Phase I: Progression • Removal of immobilization • Re-education of local symptoms (swelling) • Acceptable degree of tissue healing

Phase II • That period of time during which more vigorous therapeutic exercise including ROM, can and should be initiated. Modalities may be still used to enhance the healing process.

Phase II Therapeutic objectives: • • • Establish weight bearing Restore optimal joint ROM Restore flexibility Restore muscular strength Restore muscular endurance Maintain level of overall physical fitness

Phase II: Criteria for progression: • Reduction of local symptoms • Restoration of joint ROM, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and gait patterns • Assurance of adequate protection • Motivation and confidence

Phase III • That period of time during which participation in part, or all, of the athletes normal practice and conditioning activities is resumed

Phase III Therapeutic objectives: • Continued restoration of joint ROM, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance • Development of overall fitness • Re-establish normal patterns of motor activity • Sport specific exercises • Restoration of athletes confidence

Phase III: Criteria for progression: • Compete and unrestricted participation • Restoration of physical fitness

Phase IV: • Maintaining the athletes performance at a level so that they can compete • Therapeutic objectives: – Maintain muscular strength – Maintain muscular endurance – Maintain flexibility