General Injuries
Healed fractures (casted or surgically repaired) – Fracture is any partial or complete break in a bone. Treatment must work around the amount of time the bone is casted or immobilized which usually involves immobilizing it across a joint. Treatment works to regain the mobility that was lost during casting and strengthen the bone/joint.
Muscle strains and or ligament sprains – These two injuries are often confused. A strain is when the fibers of the muscle are pulled apart, while a sprain is when the fibers of a ligament are pulled apart. To clarify this further, a muscle is tissue that shortens and lengthens across a joint to allow movement and a ligament is connective tissue that holds bone together at a joint. Strains are treated by stretching muscle spasms and regaining strength and range of motion. Sprains are treated by reducing the swelling of the joint and regaining range of motion.
Sports specific exercise conditioning – The emphasis in Physical Therapy for athletes is trying to understand whether the activity is strength or endurance based, then analyzing the proper movements required and correcting any faulty movements or techniques.
