Recurrent Injuries

Recurrent injury is an injury to any location on the body that previously sustained the same injury. It can be caused by anything, from an accident, sports injury, or work-related incident. Sports injuries can often be recurrent with subsequent injuries being influenced by the first injury. Most recurrent injuries are usually worse than the initial injury, as a tendon or muscle that was partially torn the first time is at risk of being severely ruptured the next time. Recurrent injuries could have a severe impact on the injured person’s ability to participate, and could even challenge the career of an athlete.

Who is most prone to recurrent injuries?

Recurrent injuries are most common in athletes and schoolchildren. Recurrent injuries very within sport, with football players have the highest rate of recurrent injuries, gender is also observed as an influential factor with girls more prone to recurrent injuries than boys. Ankles, knees, shoulders, and head are most prone to recurrent injuries, the most common injury types being, muscle sprains, ligament strains, and concussions. Work related recurrent injuries most often affect the neck and back. Exerting too much force on the back, repetitive movements, and abnormal posture contribute to muscle fatigue and injury. Poor proprioception, neglecting symptoms of pain or weakness, incomplete rehabilitation, poor warm-up, and overuse are often associated with re-injury. Braces and tape can be used to aid and improve a person’s proprioception by making them more cognitively aware of the injury and thus encouraging them to protect it.

Treatment

Obviously the best way to avoid recurrent injuries is to avoid the initial injury, but this is not always possible. Knowledge of injury patterns, treatment and the rehabilitation process is essential in preventing recurrent injuries. Professional athletes would use a physical therapy programme to rehabilitate and return to their sport following an injury. A physical therapy program deals with the injuries sustained by children involved in any sport, and is well designed to treat recurrent injuries. As there are specific injuries to each sport, an individualised professional treatment program designed by the physical therapist helps to avoid re-injury. The treatment often involves the use of hot and cold therapy, massage, and developing wellness-oriented programs to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles. A focused rehabilitation program can improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion, and help the patient return back to their favourite sport or daily routine with confidence.