Nothing is as frustrating to an athlete as an injury that takes you out of the game. Whether it’s a sprain from a misstep or a stress fracture from overusing your legs– getting back in the game can feel both exciting and downright scary.
We understand how conflicted athletes can feel about going back to the sport they love after an injury. Let’s talk about what you can expect as you return to your activities, and how we here at CAFAS can help you through every step (and point) of the way.
The Reality of Sports Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries are among the most common injuries for athletes of any skill level. Some of the most frequent sport injuries we see include:
- Ankle Sprains
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stress Fractures
- Achilles tendon pain
- Lateral foot pain
- Turf toe
These injuries can be a product of a sudden, unexpected accident, or a long ignored issue that snowballed from smaller pains. Either way, we believe the key to returning to your sport isn’t healing but rebuilding from the ground up.
There is a research on football-related foot and ankle injuries showing that recovery looks different depending on whether treatment is surgical or non-surgical. When it comes to returning to a sport after an injury, athletes are safest when following a rehab plan tailored to their condition, making professional guidance essential.
What Will My Recovery Look Like?
Here’s the harsh truth of sports related injuries: the recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Like many health related issues, it all depends on the type and severity of the one you’re dealing with, the intensity of your sport, and how your body takes to healing naturally. Here’s a general look of what you can expect when in the process of recovery:
1. Resting
Early during your injury, nothing is as important as resting and protecting your injury. Whether you’re on crutches, a cast, a brace, or just avoiding putting weight on the injured body part, your body needs a chance to allow the injured body part to relax and start the healing process.
2. Evaluation
This is one of the more important parts of recovering from an injury. If you’ve sought a ‘sports injury doctor near me’, the best thing to do is have a professional conduct an in-depth evaluation of the scale of your injury. A professional can thoroughly analyze the nature of your injury and personalize a treatment plan according to your goals and timeline.
3. Rehabilitation
Whether you like it or not, sports injury rehabilitation is a must-have when recovering from an injury. It focuses on strengthening the muscles around the injury and correcting imbalances in your body from lack of usage. This can help in restoring your range of motion and prepare your body to return to the action safely and progressively. Sports injury rehabilitation often looks like:
- Balance and stability work
- Physical therapy
- Sport-specific Drills
- Return to weight lifting
4. Returning to Play
Now comes the most important part. Once your doctor determines your pain is managed, your strength is back, and your mobility is all but restored, it’s time to get back in the game. Don’t think you’ll be going all out from the moment you step on to the court however, a good rehab plan eases you into full performance mode while protecting you from another injury.
We’ll Help You Back On Your Feet
We understand how important sports can be not only as a D1 athlete or a potential professional player, but even as a weekend warrior or a parent trying to coach their kid. It’s not just about your body, but it’s also about your mindset, your confidence, and how you traverse life beyond the injury. Here at CAFAS, we treat you from inside and out.
If you’re searching for a doctor to help you with your sports injury, look no further. Let’s put you on the path to recovery with a personalized sports injury rehabilitation plan that’s designed with your success in mind. Schedule your appointment today and help us bring you back to your a-game.