The Benefit Of Electro-stimulation following ACL Reconstruction
Posted on 16. May, 2012 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
The post-operative rehabilitation of an ACL reconstruction is something that many sports physiotherapists perform on a daily basis. Many will know that muscular atrophy is quite common; particularly affecting the quadriceps, hamstrings and triceps surae. In fact, quadriceps atrophy and strength will often exceed 20% during the first three months (Nicholas et al., 2001). Therefore, we see post-operative rehabilitation protocols focusing on quick restoration of the patients muscle function and strength. Thus, we are often quick to, and appropriately so, prescribe exercises. However, this article will discuss the potential for the additional clinical benefits of electrical muscle stimulation (electro-stimulation)
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Acute Ankle Sprain: Brace Yourself…Or Should You?
Posted on 11. Oct, 2011 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
Ankle injuries are a ridiculously common sports injury. Ankle injuries are the most common injuries in a wide variety of popular sports. In fact, it has been suggested that ankle injuries account for 10-30% of all sports injuries; 77% of which are lateral ankle sprains. Thus, it goes without saying that knowledge of evidence based management and current best practice is essential for lateral ankle sprains. This article will discuss the current evidence for the use of bracing following acute ankle sprains.
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Is Compression Crushing Your Outcomes?
Posted on 17. Aug, 2011 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
It will come as no surprise to anybody that we are in the business of treating soft tissues injuries. If this is a surprise.. stand up and walk away from the screen now … this information or website is not for you! But for the majority of physiotherapists who treat acute soft tissue sports injuries we will base our early interventions around the PRICE principle (protection, relative rest, ice, compression, elevation). This would be considered a component of gold-standard management…
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Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Evidence Based Diagnosis and Management
Posted on 14. Jul, 2011 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
To explain the importance of knowledge about these conditions I will frequently tell you how common these ligament injuries are. Well, it has been suggested that up to 37% of all patients with knee haemarthroses have an associated PCL injury. Furthermore, the incidence of injury is particularly high in sports that involve heavy contact. That means that sports physiotherapists that are involved in the management of athletes from contact sports need to be aware of the evidence based assessment and management of these ligament injuries.
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ACL Reconstruction: Identifying Deficits in the Return to Play Stage
Posted on 18. Jun, 2011 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
Introduction Sports physiotherapists will regularly (I’m talking every day) rehabilitate knees that have undergone ACL reconstruction. As the vast majority of you will know, it is a common injury with a relatively long rehabilitation timeframe (generally 6 – 12 months depending on surgeon’s preference). This long rehabilitation and progression through to return to play (RTP) […]
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Ankle Syndesmosis Injuries: Evidence Based Diagnosis and Management
Posted on 06. May, 2011 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
Ankle injuries are a ridiculously common sports injury. Fong et al (2007) found that ankle injuries are the most common injuries in a wide variety of popular sports. It has been suggested that syndesmosis injuries account for about 11% of ankle injuries. Furthermore, ankle syndesmosis injuries (or “high” ankle sprains) have high occurrences during athletic activities, particularly those that involve twisting or cutting activities. Read on for evidence based assessment and diagnosis of ankle syndesmosis injuries.
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Cyclops Lesion following ACL Reconstruction: Diagnosis and Management
Posted on 29. Mar, 2011 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
Cyclops lesions are an unfortunate sequelae of anterior cruciate ligament injury, and are most commonly seen following ACL reconstructions. The cyclops lesion is a consequence of a localised form of anterior arthrofibrosis. This results in the formation of a nodule of fibrous tissue in the anterior portion of the ACL graft (Tonin et al., 2001). The cyclops lesion sits in the anterior margin of the intercondylar notch, just above the tibial tunnel, which can become impinged between the tibia and femur upon knee extension (Bradley et al., 2000).
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Medial Collateral Ligament Injury Sports Taping Technique
Posted on 17. Nov, 2010 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
This video taping technique tutorial is for a low grade/sprain medial collateral ligament injury. This is a really quick and simple method to provide some support to the injured structures. If you consider the PRICE management of acute soft tissue injuries – this is perfect to use in the protection phase.
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ACL Reconstruction with the LARS Ligament
Posted on 21. Oct, 2010 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
It must be the hottest debate in knee surgery at the moment. Should ACL reconstructions be performed using the LARS (Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System) or should orthopaedic surgeons continue to use the more traditional four strand hamstring (4HS) or bone patella tendon bone (BPTB) grafts? It is a good question. Obviously for us as sports physiotherapists the choice is not ours to make, but, invariably the injured athlete will ask our professional opinion.
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RICE or MEAT Protocol for Acute Ligament Sprain Treatment
Posted on 29. Sep, 2010 by The Sports Physiotherapist.
The RICE protocol is widely advocated in the treatment of acute soft tissue injuries, and is therefore frequently utilised in the acute phase following most sports injuries. Whilst RICE should still be used in the case of acute muscle strains, given the potential for adverse consequences such as compartment syndrome, there are some who are suggesting that the RICE protocol has reduced efficacy in the management of acute ligament (and even tendon) sprains.
Why is this so? Read on to find out.