When do you need help following an injury?

Knowing when to see a health professional is a difficult call for many. People often feel reluctant to see a doctor and just wait and hope the injury will pass. If you experience what you think is a minor injury and can still get through playing your chosen sport or continue with your exercise routine, most of us would neglect seeking medical help. Unfortunately, injuries such as stress fractures or tendonosis are ‘overuse injuries’ and happen over time. These subtle symptoms don’t scream out to your body that you need treatment, but this delay can lead to more serious injuries in the future. Cairnhill Physiotherapy is here to help you decide when you should see a doctor with our complete guide.

3 reasons athletes should see a physiotherapist:

1. Symptoms do not go away after rest and home treatment.
2. An undiagnosed or untreated condition continues to affect training or performance.
3. A condition becomes a risk to teammates or competitors

2 common types of conditions you should see a physiotherapist about:

1. Acute injuries
2. Overuse injuries

Also, any athlete with a chronic injury or medical condition should see a doctor and be approved to participate in sports. Whether a pre-sport physical test is required or not, it’s a good idea for athletes to receive an annual physical exam. Especially if they have experienced often occurring injuries, medical problems or are regular takers of medicine.

Acute injuries include; strains, sprains, fractures, dislocation, pinched nerves, scrapes, cuts and bruises. This is when you should consult a doctor:

• Unable to stand or walk
• Loss of full range of movement
• Pain that doesn’t subside
• Pain that disrupts daily activities or sleep
• Visible swelling
• A feeling of numbness or tingling
• Pain that runs down limbs

Overuse injuries include; stress fractures, tendonosis, shin splints and trapped nerves. This is when you should consult a doctor:

• Pain that doesn’t subside; even after I.C.E. or medicinal treatment
• Pain that disrupts daily activities or sleep
• Localised pain that increased over time or during physical activity
• Swelling or stiffness

Starting treatment early can improve the rehabilitation process and return you to peak fitness quickly. Sports injury treatment is our passion and our practitioners are experienced in treating a wide range of injuries. To assess your injury and provide a timeline for recovery, contact our team now at Cairnhill Physiotherapy.