Musculoskeletal & Sports Physiotherapy

Both sports physiotherapists and general (or musculoskeletal) physiotherapists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat movement-related injuries. Sports physiotherapists have the expertise to accurately diagnose your injury and assess how long it may take before you can safely return to your sport. Their advanced skills in managing sports-related injuries include developing strategies to improve muscle strength, control, and what the physical requirements are for you to return to sport. By addressing the unique demands of your sport, they not only help you recover successfully but also enhance your athletic performance and reduce the risk of reinjury.

Sports physical therapy is a specialised branch of physiotherapy where the physio will have completed extra training in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries. These extra skills are fantastic for the needs of an athlete or active individual when they are recovering from injuries, wanting to improve performance, and wanting to prevent future injuries. Often a sports physio will have extra knowledge of the needs of a sport and be able to develop a tailored rehabilitation program for each individual based on their injury. In elite sport, this will also be tailored to the specific position or role that individual has.

Sports physical therapy is used by elite athletes, weekend warriors, and active individuals who want to return to their sport safely and perform at their best.

Musculoskeletal physiotherapy focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of muscle, bone, joint, ligament, tendon, and nerve conditions. It aims to reduce pain, restore mobility, improve strength, and prevent further injury.

Common Conditions Treated by Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy:

1. Joint Pain & Disorders:
   • Osteoarthritis (hip, knee, shoulder, spine)
   • Rheumatoid arthritis
   • Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
   • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
   • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
2. Muscle Strains & Tears:
   • Hamstring, quadriceps, and calf strains
   • Rotator cuff injuries
   • Groin strains
   • Lower back muscle strains
3. Tendon & Ligament Injuries:
   • Tendinopathies (e.g., Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff, tennis elbow)
   • Ligament sprains (e.g., ankle sprains, MCL/LCL injuries)
   • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries
   • Plantar fasciitis
4. Back & Neck Pain:
   • Lower back pain (acute or chronic)
   • Sciatica (nerve compression leading to leg pain)
   • Herniated or bulging discs
   • Whiplash injuries
   • Cervical radiculopathy
5. Postural & Repetitive Strain Injuries:
   • Postural imbalances (from desk work or poor ergonomics)
   • Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow)
   • Thoracic outlet syndrome
   • Overuse injuries (common in sports or physically demanding jobs)
6. Post-Surgical Rehabilitation:
   • Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder)
   • Spinal surgeries (discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion)
   • ACL reconstruction and meniscus repairs
   • Rotator cuff repair
   • Fracture rehabilitation
7. Sports-Related Injuries:
   • Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome)
   • Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
   • Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB syndrome)
   • Stress fractures
   • Overuse and impact injuries
8. Nerve & Soft Tissue Disorders:
   • Sciatica and nerve impingement
   • Carpal tunnel syndrome
   • Bursitis (e.g., hip, shoulder)
   • Fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes

Sports physiotherapy focuses on the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries. Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, sports physiotherapists use targeted techniques to help reduce pain, restore function, and prevent re-injury.

1. Muscle Injuries
   • These are some of the most common sports injuries, often caused by overuse, overstretching, or sudden forceful movements.
   • Muscle strains and tears (e.g., hamstring, quadriceps, or calf strains)
   • Contusions (muscle bruises) from direct impacts
   • Groin strains (common in soccer and hockey players)
   • Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) after intense workouts
2. Ligament Injuries
   • Ligament injuries usually occur due to sudden twists, direct impacts, or overextension of joints.
   • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears – common in sports involving jumping and pivoting
   • Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) sprains – frequent in contact sports
   • Ankle sprains – one of the most common sports injuries
   • Shoulder instability and dislocations – often seen in contact sports and overhead activities
   • Wrist and thumb sprains – common in skiing and racket sports
3. Tendon Injuries (Tendinopathies)
   • Tendon injuries often result from overuse or repetitive strain and can develop gradually over time.
   • Achilles tendinopathy – common in runners and basketball players
   • Patellar tendinopathy (Jumper’s Knee) – frequent in sports involving jumping
   • Tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) – caused by repetitive wrist and arm motions
   • Golfer’s elbow (Medial Epicondylitis) – similar to tennis elbow but affects the inner elbow
   • Rotator cuff tendinopathy – common in swimmers, tennis players, and weightlifters
4. Joint Injuries
   • Sports physiotherapists frequently manage joint pain, inflammation, and stability issues caused by repetitive strain or acute trauma.
   • Knee injuries (e.g., meniscus tears, patellofemoral pain syndrome)
   • Shoulder injuries (e.g., rotator cuff tears, impingement, labral tears)
   • Hip impingement (FAI) – common in soccer players and dancers
   • Ankle instability – often resulting from repeated sprains
   • Wrist and hand injuries – common in racket sports and gymnastics
5. Overuse Injuries
   • Overuse injuries develop due to repetitive motions and poor biomechanics, leading to gradual wear and tear.
   • Shin splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) – frequent in runners
   • Stress fractures – small cracks in bones due to repetitive impact
   • Plantar fasciitis – heel pain common in runners and dancers
   • IT Band Syndrome – lateral knee pain common in cyclists and runners
   • Runner’s knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome) – irritation under the kneecap from repetitive motion
6. Spinal Injuries
   • Sports that involve twisting, impact, or repetitive bending can lead to spinal injuries.
   • Lower back pain – from poor posture, muscle imbalances, or strain
   • Herniated or bulging discs – due to lifting, twisting, or impact
   • Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis – stress fractures common in gymnasts and cricketers
   • Whiplash – often seen in contact sports or high-impact events
7. Some Physiotherapists Are Trained To Manage Concussions & Head Injuries
   • While physiotherapists don’t diagnose concussions, they play a role in the rehabilitation process, helping with:
   • Post-concussion syndrome (headaches, dizziness, and balance issues)
   • Vestibular rehabilitation for balance and coordination
   • Gradual return-to-play protocols
8. Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
   • Sports physiotherapists assist in recovery and rehabilitation after surgery to ensure a safe return to sport.
   • ACL reconstruction
   • Rotator cuff repair
   • Meniscus surgery
   • Labral repair (shoulder or hip)
   • Fracture fixation