Long-term injuries: What are they and how can we treat them?
Long-term injuries, also known as chronic injuries, are those types of injuries that don’t seem to resolve, no matter how much we rest!
These often start out as minor injuries and then gradually become a more serious condition over time. Long-term injuries can also be a result of overuse of a particular muscle/joint over extended periods of time.
Unfortunately, the impacts of these injuries can last a lifetime if not treated correctly.
Firstly, it’s important to understand the difference between a long-term injury and an acute injury. An acute injury is the result of some form of trauma such as a hamstring tear or a knee dislocation. The primary goal in treating an acute injury is to reduce pain and restore free movement.
On the other hand, long-term injuries are either a result of overuse of a muscle or joint long term, an acute injury that hasn’t been properly treated that has gotten worse over time.
Long-term injuries are just as common in patients as acute injuries but are often played off as a minor insignificance or just “day-to-day” pain. Often, people will put up with these injuries as they don’t necessarily cause debilitating pain and people can continue with their daily activities.
These then compound into a worse condition and can be more difficult to treat compared to acute injuries, due to being left untreated and ignored for extended periods of time.
Common types of chronic sports injuries we see are:
- Stress fractures
- Tennis elbow
- Shin splints
- Runner's knee
- Heel inflammation
- Ankle sprain
- Groin pull
- Hamstring strain
So, what can we do about these injuries?
There’s no “quick-fix” when it comes to long-term injuries. Long-term injuries are commonly a result of muscle imbalances, muscle fatigue due to lack of strength, or a bio-mechanical issues (such as in the foot and ankle area or hips).
In most cases, long-term injuries require a tailored rehabilitation program to address the underlying issues causing the injury and a roadmap to help measure progress.
At Back In Motion, we focus on working with our patients to achieve long-lasting results to minimise the reoccurrence of injuries. Management of pain and symptoms are first steps we take to help patients achieve lasting results and our Results4Life® approach ensures patients can enjoy healthy, injury-free lifestyles without that lingering threat of injury re-occurrence.
Our roadmap for injury rehabilitation starts at pain and symptom management, then moves to identification and treatment of underlying causes, before transitioning to a strengthening, fitness and lifestyle focus.
If you’re currently experiencing a long-term injury, feel free to contact your local Motion Health Group Practice for a Free initial assessment * with a Physiotherapist. We can then help you get back on the road to recovery.
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Free initial Assessment terms and conditions apply. Your initial assessment with a qualified physiotherapist is free. Treatment following your assessment is charged at the cost of a standard consultation. Not valid with any other offers. Limit one per client. Not redeemable for cash or products. Available to new clients or existing clients presenting with a new injury.