Sports Injury Clinic | About Synapse Physiotherapy

Acute Injuries VS Chronic Injuries

Acute injuries are typically the result of sudden trauma to the tissue, with symptoms manifesting almost immediately. The key factor in such cases is that the force applied at the time of injury exceeds the inherent strength of the tissue, affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bones. Acute injuries can be classified based on the site and type, encompassing various anatomical structures and conditions such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, or strains.

These acute injuries can be further categorised into direct and indirect injuries. Direct injuries involve external forces or blows, such as collisions in contact sports or being struck by an object, causing trauma to specific body parts. On the other hand, indirect injuries manifest either some distance from the impact site, as seen in falling on an outstretched hand leading to a dislocated shoulder, or result from internal forces generated by the performer’s actions, such as muscle strains due to overstretching or poor technique.

In contrast, chronic injuries, often referred to as overuse injuries, develop gradually over time due to prolonged and repetitive loading of tissues. Unlike acute injuries, symptoms emerge gradually, and individuals may initially experience little or no pain. Overuse injuries occur when repetitive microtrauma overwhelms the tissue’s capacity to repair itself. Factors such as inadequate rest, overtraining, improper biomechanics, and pre-existing vulnerabilities contribute to cumulative tissue damage surpassing a threshold, resulting in pain and dysfunction. 

Physiotherapy Treatment  

At our Synapse Physiotherapy Center, we specialise in the treatment of both acute and chronic sports injuries. However, it’s important to note that the approach to treatment varies significantly depending on the type of injury you’ve experienced. For acute injuries, physiotherapists often initiate the R.I.C.E. protocol, incorporating rest, ice, compression, and elevation to manage initial inflammation. They employ pain management techniques, such as ultrasound or electrical stimulation, and gradually introduce range of motion exercises followed by targeted strengthening exercises to restore function. In chronic or overuse injuries, physiotherapists focus on identifying underlying causes, including biomechanical issues or muscle imbalances. Tailored exercise programs address weaknesses and imbalances, while manual therapy techniques alleviate pain and improve joint mobility. Education on proper training techniques and activity modifications is provided, and a gradual return-to-activity plan is implemented to prevent re-injury. Throughout the rehabilitation process, effective communication between the athlete and the physiotherapist is crucial for a comprehensive and successful recovery. 

Common sport injury 

Ligament 

Acute ligament injuries are common occurrences in the realm of sports, often resulting from sudden and forceful movements that place excessive stress on the ligaments connecting bones within joints. One prevalent example is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, frequently observed in activities involving abrupt stops, directional changes, or awkward landings. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) sprains typically arise from direct impacts to the outer knee, prevalent in contact sports like football and hockey. Similarly, Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) injuries may occur with a blow to the inner knee. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injuries, less frequent than ACL injuries, can result from direct blows or hyperextension. Ankle ligament sprains are commonplace in sports with rapid changes in direction, such as basketball. Additionally, shoulder ligament injuries, like Acromioclavicular Joint (AC Joint) sprains, often stem from falls or impacts, particularly in cycling or contact sports. 

Fracture 

Fractures are not uncommon in the realm of sports injuries, and specific types are frequently observed due to the nature of athletic activities. Stress fractures, resulting from repetitive stress and overuse, are often seen in long-distance runners or athletes engaged in repetitive impact sports, commonly affecting weight-bearing bones like the tibia or metatarsals. Ankle fractures, on the other hand, are prevalent and typically caused by twisting, rolling, or direct impact during sports such as soccer or basketball. These fractures can involve the fibula, tibia, or foot bones.

Wrist fractures, arising from falls onto outstretched hands, are common in sports like skateboarding or gymnastics, potentially affecting the radius, ulna, or carpal bones. Femur fractures, involving the thigh bone, are usually a result of high-impact collisions or falls in sports like football or motor racing. Collarbone fractures, prevalent in contact sports like rugby or hockey, typically occur in the middle or outer third of the collarbone. Hand and finger fractures are seen in sports with direct trauma, such as basketball or martial arts, affecting the metacarpal bones or phalanges.

Tendon 

Tendinopathy, a prevalent condition in sports injuries, manifests as pain, swelling, and functional impairment of tendons subjected to repetitive stress, overuse, or acute trauma. Among the commonly encountered tendinopathies in sports, Achilles tendinopathy stands out, often attributed to overuse in activities like basketball or running, leading to pain and stiffness along the Achilles tendon. Patellar tendinopathy, colloquially known as Jumper’s Knee, results from repetitive jumping or forceful quadriceps contractions, prevalent in sports such as basketball, volleyball, or track and field, causing pain just below the kneecap, particularly exacerbated during jumping or running.

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is another common tendinopathy linked to repetitive gripping and wrist extension, seen in sports like tennis, golf, or activities requiring frequent forearm use, resulting in pain and tenderness on the outer part of the elbow. Its counterpart, golfer’s elbow or medial epicondylitis, arises from repetitive wrist flexion and gripping in sports like golf or racquet sports, causing pain on the inner part of the elbow.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy, associated with overhead arm movements in sports like swimming, baseball, or tennis, manifests as shoulder pain, particularly during overhead activities, along with weakness in the affected arm. Hamstring tendinopathy, caused by overuse or forceful contractions of the hamstring muscles, is prevalent in sports involving sprinting or kicking, resulting in pain in the back of the thigh, often aggravated during running or kicking.

Muscle

Muscle strains, characterised by the stretching or tearing of muscle fibers, are prevalent in sports and often result from abrupt or forceful movements, overexertion, or insufficient warm-up. One common type is the hamstring strain, occurring when the muscles at the back of the thigh experience overstretching or tearing, commonly seen in activities such as sprinting or sudden accelerations. Symptoms of a hamstring strain include pain, swelling, and, in more severe cases, bruising in the affected area.

Another frequently encountered muscle strain is the quadriceps strain, which occurs due to overexertion or sudden movements that strain the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh. This type of strain is common in sports that involve rapid changes in direction or powerful leg movements. Symptoms typically include localised pain, tenderness, and potential swelling in the quadriceps region.