Fall Sports Injuries and Physical Therapy

The start of fall brings with it the excitement of a new sports season. Fall sports traditionally include football, girl’s tennis, soccer, volleyball, golf, and cross country. All sports require a mix of cardiovascular training, strength, and precision with conditioning for the fall season starting in the summer. However, due to contact or overuse, sports injuries can occur. It’s important to receive the proper care and treatment so that student athletes can return to the athletic field safely and at optimal function.

Common Fall Sports Injuries

Fall sports injuries can include strains, sprains, fractures, concussions, tears, ACL injuries, and shin splints. Injuries in high school athletes have increased, which may be due to the common practice of playing one sport year-round and a higher intensity of play in high school sports.

The emphasis on playing one sport year-round contributes to repetitive overuse injuries. Previously, high school sports have had a narrowly defined season and students were encouraged to play multiple sports throughout the year. This allowed the body to rest as well as work different muscles in different ways, avoiding overuse injuries that occur due to working the same muscles in one sport year-round.

Common sports injuries include:

Fracture: the breaking or cracking of a bone that requires immediate treatment. Fractures result from contact with other players or with sports equipment. 

Strain: can result from a sudden movement, moving in a way the body isn’t used to, or from overuse. Leg strains are common in football and soccer, while arm, elbow, and neck strains are common in tennis, golf, and volleyball. Symptoms include swelling, spasming, cramping, and difficulty moving.

Sprain: tears or stretches of your ligaments that occur when a part of the body is twisted awkwardly, such as landing on the side of the ankle instead of the foot. Sprains are common of the ankle, elbow, knee, or hands.

ACL: The ACL is a major ligament in the center of the knee, holding the bones together within the knee and keeping it stable. ACL injuries can occur due to contact (from a helmet to the knee) or non-contact (a fast pivot or cut). Symptoms include pain, an audible pop of the knee, swelling, and difficulty standing and putting pressure on the injured leg.

Concussion: traumatic brain injury that can cause physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms. A concussion results when the brain is violently shaken due to the head receiving a direct hit (helmet to helmet hit or repeated heading of the ball in soccer) or rapid movement changes that result in whiplash. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sounds, confusion and disorientation, fatigue, and ringing in ears.

Shin Splints: an overuse injury that is common in athletes that run at a high intensity, such as in cross country or soccer. The repetitive motion of running can be jarring to the tissues that hold the muscles to the bone and result in shin splints. It usually happens early in the season when the body is not used to running at that intensity. It also may occur when running on hard surfaces repeatedly or upping mileage or workout intensity too quickly.

Patellofemoral Syndrome: occurs when the cartilage beneath the kneecap becomes worn and leads to shifting of the knee. The poor alignment causes pain in the front of the knee when squatting, sitting, walking upstairs, or jumping. The knee may buckle or make grinding and popping sounds.

Physical Therapy Sports Medicine

Physical therapy can help student athletes regain strength, function, and range of motion safely following sports injuries. Physical therapists also manage pain and prevent permanent damage.

The physical therapist first evaluates the injured area and assesses the extent of the injury before determining a treatment program tailored to the athlete’s needs. During the acute phase of the injury, pain and inflammation are managed to reduce swelling and allow for healing. The patient is then progressed to restoring movement, mobility, function, range of motion, and strength of the injured area through a customized exercise and strengthening program.

Recuperating from sport injury with the support and guidance of a physical therapist allows the student athlete to safely recover and return to the sport when fully healed. This protects the student from premature return to the sport and re-injury.

For serious conditions, such as an ACL tear or a concussion, physical therapists follow specific protocols to manage the injuries. Physical therapy treatment for concussion includes vestibular and vision rehabilitation, balance testing and training, manual therapy, and a gradual graded aerobic exercise program that does not intensify symptoms.

ACL rehabilitation involves a careful 9 to 16-month rehabilitation process in which the student athlete is progressed carefully from initial swelling and pain management to exercise training to restore range of motion, strength, and ability to move. Until the patient passes a series of tests that evaluate function of the ACL, the patient is not permitted to return to sport, ensuring full healing to prevent future re-injury.

Physical therapists can also provide a thorough physical and evaluation of student athletes prior to the sports season and address muscle weakness and strength issues that could increase the risk of injury.

Fall Sport Injury Prevention Tips

Here are 7 tips to prevent fall sports injury:

1.     Receive a pre-season physical.

2.     Always warm up by stretching and engaging in light calisthenics before a game or practice. Don’t rush into sprints or full intensity workout until you have warmed up your muscles.

3.     Appropriately train during the season to prevent injury. Have a in-season training program that allows you to stay strong and decrease the risk of injury.

4.     Ensure the courts and fields used during games and practice are in good condition. Poor conditions can increase injury risk.

5.     Rest after an injury and speak up about pain, especially concussions. Receiving appropriate, immediate attention is important for long-term healing.

6.     Take time off between seasons to let your body rest and play multiple sports. Continually engaging in the same sport can lead to overuse injuries.

7.     Fuel your body properly with balanced meals and hydration.