Abstract
Rehabilitation is the restoration of optimal form (anatomy) and function (physiology). It is a method created to enhance functional capacity, fitness, and performance while minimizing the loss associated with acute injury or chronic disease. The rehabilitation process should begin as soon as possible after an accident, and it should be integrated into a continuum with other therapeutic interventions including the use of pharmaceutical medications. The athlete’s goal to return to the same sport and setting where the injury happened must be taken into account in the rehabilitation strategy. Functional capacity after recovery should be the same as before injury because avoiding the circumstances associated to the injury is frequently not an option. Many injuries may occur because the rehabilitation of a previous injury was not complete. Understanding risk factors associated with sports injuries can help in the design of rehabilitation strategies resulting in a lower incidence and severity of injuries. Rehabilitation principles can be applied in a sports injury clinic but also as part of the health care services for a travelling team. Rehabilitation after a sports injury has become a specialty in the modern era. For an athlete, returning to the competition after a sports injury needs an interdisciplinary, specific, and individualized rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation following a sports injury is critical to ensure full recovery, minimize time away from sports, and avoid reinjury. Immobilization, range of motion (ROM), strength, and return to activity are the four stages of the rehabilitation process. Each phase is divided into three subcategories: modalities, exercises, and cardiorespiratory. A rehabilitation program also includes agility, proprioceptive/kinesthetic training, and strength and flexibility. Injured athletes resume sport-specific activities as their condition improves in preparation for a return to play. The incomplete rehabilitation of a prior injury can lead to numerous ailments. Understanding the risk factors for sports-related injuries can aid in the development of rehabilitation plans that will reduce the frequency and severity of injuries. The incomplete rehabilitation of a prior injury can lead to numerous ailments. Understanding the risk factors for sports-related injuries can help the development of rehabilitation plans that will reduce the frequency and severity of injuries.