In this blog post, we are going to take a look at some of the most common sporting injuries that can result in a trip to the physio…

Quadriceps strain

A quadriceps strain tends to be suffered by those who enjoy sports that involve a lot of running and kicking, such as football, and it involves the quadriceps muscle located at the front of the thigh, which is either partially or completely torn.

The severity of this condition changes from patient to patient, yet most people experience considerable pain and limited movement can arise as a result, which is why it is so important to book a physiotherapy appointment as quickly as possible so you can get on the road to recovery.

More often than not, a quadriceps strain will occur because the quadriceps muscle suddenly contracts, which often happens during kicking, jumping, sprinting or hopping activities. This is why you will often see a lot of footballers suffering from quadriceps strains when they go on an explosive sprint and then kick.

There are several different signs and symptoms you should be aware of when it comes to quadriceps strains, with most people feeling a pulling sensation or a sharp pain when the injury occurs.

Other potential symptoms include walking difficulty, weakness, muscle spasms, pain that increases during resting and when partaking in an activity, pain when touching the affected area, swelling and in severe cases you may be able to visually see a deformity in the quadriceps muscle.

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you should get in touch with a specialist physiotherapist. Your appointment will begin with a thorough examination of the condition, with diagnostic tests often required, such as an MRI scan. This is an imperative part of the recovery, as it is essential to ensure that an effective treatment plan is put together.

There are various different techniques used to aid a fast and successful recovery, including strengthening exercises, massage, electrotherapy, flexibility exercises, heat or ice application, joint mobilisation, dry needling and more. They will also provide you with a full outline of the recovery process and how long they expect it to take.

Another vital aspect of the recovery is self-care, which is why your physiotherapist will supply you with full details on how to manage your condition effectively, otherwise you could end up reversing all of the good that has been done during the therapy session. This also highlights why it is good to have a PT rather than managing your own routine if you don’t have experience, as this is how injuries can happen. You can use the services of an online personal trainer, like Andy Griffiths, who will ensure you are carrying out your exercises properly so you don’t get injured again.

Biceps/triceps pain

Are you suffering from pain in your biceps or triceps? If so, there are many different causes that could be responsible for this, with a vast majority of people suffering as the result of a tendon injury. Of course, injuries impacting the biceps or triceps are two separate conditions, yet they both tend to follow the same pathology and have the same causes, which is why we have put them together.

As mentioned, a lot of people suffer from tendon injuries, and these tend to occur as a result of overuse or repetitive activities, which can cause impaired function and pain.

In general, most people suffer injuries in their biceps and triceps either as a result of the degenerative process, which simply means because they are getting older, whereas others suffer because they have placed too much strain on this part of their body, either through sports or repetitive overhead movements. There are also instances when people suffer biceps and triceps pain because of a traumatic injury, although these cases are a lot less common.

As there are many different types of biceps and triceps pain, the diagnosis stage is exceptionally important when you book a physiotherapy appointment.

A specialist massage therapist will carefully examine your condition, which may include some diagnostic tests. They will do this so they can come to an accurate diagnosis regarding what is causing the problem and how severe it is. This is vital if an effective treatment plan is to be put together and recovery is to be achieved.

Once they have got to the root of the problem, they will then begin the treatment, which will include a wide range of different techniques, such as joint mobilisation, electrotherapy, soft tissue massage that will help to relieve stiffness and pain through fluid drainage, ice therapy to reduce pain and swelling, and finally exercise therapy to enhance strength and flexibility.

Plantar fasciitis

If you are suffering from heel pain, there is a very high chance that it could be plantar fasciitis, as this is one of the most common sources of heel pain.

To understand this condition, it is first important to know what the plantar fascia is; this is a band of connective tissue that originates at the heel bone, extending along the sole to your toes. This connective tissue has the purpose of ensuring your arch does not become subject to any over flattening, and thus it plays a crucial role. Plantar fasciitis arises when this connective tissue becomes injured, usually through inflammation or micro tears.

One of the most frustrating things about plantar fasciitis is the fact that it is one of those injuries that seems to occur for no apparent reason, yet experts do classify them as either compression or traction injuries, with the former relating to trauma injuries and the latter meaning your plantar fascia has been overstretched. Most cases of plantar fasciitis occur through sporting activities; especially those that involve toe running styles.

Most people notice plantar fasciitis pain when they wake up in the morning after the injury has occurred, as they will experience pain either in their foot arch or under the heel. This pain will then get worse when you take a few steps, and the condition continues to get worse if it is not treated properly, which is why you need to book an appointment as soon as you notice these symptoms.

When you book an appointment with one of the specialist therapists in your area, they will carry out a thorough assessment of your condition to get to the root of the problem so they can put an effective treatment plan together – this will usually include an X-ray and can sometimes include an MRI or ultrasound scan.

After they have come to an accurate diagnosis, they will then put a bespoke treatment plan together that is entirely based on you and your needs. This plan will begin with pain relief, afterwards it will focus on regaining full motion, restoring muscle control and getting back to your normal self, through techniques such as massage, strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises and more.

Medial/Lateral Ligament Injury

Medial and lateral injuries are very similar, although the latter impacts the cartilage tissue that is located at the outer aspect of the knee whereas medial ligament injury affects the cartilage tissue that is situated at the inner aspect of the knee. Medial ligament injuries are the more common of the two.

There are several different causes of medial and lateral ligament injuries, including traumatic injuries that occur when there is twisting forces and excessive weight bearing, as well as injuries that occur over time due to gradual wear and tear that comes from overuse. Those who play sports tend to be more susceptible to medial and lateral ligament injuries, especially sports such as basketball and football, where there is excessive straightening or bending of the knee.

How can you tell if you are suffering from a medial or lateral ligament in your knee? Most people will be able to tell straight away because they will experience a sharp and sudden pain, either at the front or the back of the knee, depending on the ligament that has been affected. Other symptoms include tenderness, swelling and pain when kneeling or climbing the stairs.

If these symptoms sound familiar, book an appointment with one of the experienced and qualified physiotherapists in your area, who will get to the route of the problem by carrying out a full diagnosis, including an examination an any relevant diagnostic tests, such as MRIs and X-rays.

Once they have come to an accurate diagnosis, they will then put together a bespoke treatment plan that is based entirely on your condition and the severity of your symptoms, ensuring pain is alleviated and normal functionality is returned as quickly as possible.

Physiotherapists will use a broad range of techniques, including flexibility exercises, strength exercises, balance exercises, ice or heat treatment, mobilisation, soft tissue massage, taping the knee, bracing the knee, electrotherapy and dry needling.

Once the treatment has been carried out, the therapist will then advise you on some exercises to carry out, as well as some other pieces of advice to follow, so that you can manage the condition effectively to assist a speed recovery.