Sports injuries are common, both among professional athletes and the general public who exercise regularly. However, many people rush back to activity without proper recovery—and ultimately relapse. This is where the role of a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist becomes crucial to ensure a safe, effective, and comprehensive recovery process.
Why Is Sports Rehabilitation Important?
Sports rehabilitation aims to restore optimal body function after injury and prevent re-injury . This approach focuses not only on the injured area but also on the entire body's movement system—muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
With proper treatment, patients not only recover from pain, but also have better physical performance when returning to exercise.
Stages of Sports Injury Rehabilitation
- Functional Evaluation and Diagnosis
A rehabilitation doctor will assess the type of injury, its severity, and its impact on daily activities or sports performance. - Initial Management and Pain Control
Using physical therapy modalities such as ultrasound therapy, laser, cryotherapy, or TENS to reduce pain and inflammation. - Gradual Recovery Exercises
Exercises are designed according to the recovery phase: from light exercises to maintain range of motion, to strength and muscle stability training. - Functional Reconditioning and Re-Injury Prevention
Once the pain has subsided and body function has returned to normal, the training program is focused on improving performance and preventing re-injury.
Education regarding correct exercise techniques and warm-up exercises is also provided as part of prevention.
Common Types of Injuries Treated
Some injuries that often require medical rehabilitation include:
- Knee injury (such as an ACL sprain or meniscus tear )
- Ankle injury (ankle sprain)
- Shoulder or rotator cuff injury
- Back pain due to excessive sports activity
- Muscle injury or tendonitis
Collaboration for Maximum Results
Sports rehabilitation programs are implemented through collaboration between physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians , physiotherapists , and the patient. This team approach ensures each patient receives personalized therapy tailored to their condition and activity goals.
Sports injury rehabilitation is not just a healing process, but also a crucial step in preparing the body to return to the field at its best. With the guidance of a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist, recovery can be safer, more effective, and more sustainable —without the fear of recurrence.
Article written by Dr. Deasy Erika, Sp.KFR, AIFO-K (Specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at EMC Pekayon Hospital).