Basketball is a high-intensity sport, requiring running multi-directionally, shuffling the body laterally, jumping, and quick starts and stops. The intense physical demands of basketball heighten the risk of injury. Physical therapists work with basketball players to not only prepare them for a successful basketball season through a customized strength and conditioning program, but also address any in-season injuries and help athletes regain strength, mobility, balance, and function for a safe return to sport.

Lacrosse is a high-energy, full-body sport that combines quick sprints, agility, and coordination of the upper and lower extremities. Lacrosse injuries are more common in the lower extremities, particularly ankle sprains, ACL tears, shin splints, or hamstring or quadriceps muscle strains. Physical therapy can help lacrosse players not only address and recover from injuries during the lacrosse season, but also help prevent injury through a customized strength and conditioning program.

Physical therapy is essential following an ACL injury and reconstruction surgery to regain function, strength, and mobility in the knee and return to sport safely. The ACL provides stability to the knee and controls complex motion of the knee. It is commonly injured during sports activities when an athlete makes a quick change of direction or speed with the foot firmly planted. ACL injuries are commonly treated with ACL reconstruction surgery followed by an extensive rehabilitation program. A physical therapist works with the injured athlete to regain function and strength in the knee before progressing the athlete through a return to sport protocol.

Soccer is an incredibly popular sport with over 13 million Americans playing soccer, three million of whom are youth soccer players. Due to the intensity of soccer’s kicking, sprinting, fast changes in direction, and contact and the increase in year-round competition, both traumatic and overuse injuries can occur. Most soccer injuries occur in the lower extremities, particularly to the ankle, knee, and hamstrings. Physical therapists can help soccer players recover from injury safely through a comprehensive rehabilitation program.

Football is a high-contact sport with one of the highest sport injury rates. Common football injuries include concussions, ACL tears, ankle sprains, turf toe, shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tears, and hamstring strains. Physical therapy provides effective treatment for football-related injuries, helping the athlete to safely recover and return to sport when fully healed. Physical therapists help athletes regain strength, function, and range of motion through a targeted therapeutic exercise and strengthening program while managing pain and minimizing the risk of future injury.

Return to sport testing is critical to ensure that an athlete is ready to return to competition and to prevent future re-injury. Return to sport testing is most commonly performed after ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation. At Mangiarelli Rehabilitation, our sports medicine physical therapists provide a thorough, evidence-based functional return to sport test for athletes of all ages. Check out our video below to learn more about the return to sport testing process after ACL rehabilitation at our clinic!

Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist, Mike, explains how the BTE PrimusRS testing equipment is used in the clinic's sports medicine program for the treatment of injured athletes. The BTE PrimusRS allows our therapists to determine an athlete's ability, progress, and return to sport based on objective measurements from time of injury to return to sport.

Basketball is a fast-paced, intense sport demanding a high level of athleticism, endurance, and agility. Whether your goal as a basketball player is to prepare effectively for the season or return to sport after an injury, Mangiarelli Rehabilitation sports medicine physical therapists are qualified to guide you through a pre-season comprehensive exercise program and provide excellent rehabilitative care to ensure you recover from injury and return to your sport safely and in optimal form.

An ACL injury is a common sports injury affecting high school athletes. The ACL is a major ligament located in the center of the knee joint that stabilizes the knee. ACL rehabilitation with an experienced sports medicine physical therapist is crucial for a full recovery and a safe, healthy return to the athletic field. Check out our ACL Rehabilitation infographic to learn more!

The start of fall brings with it the excitement of a new sports season. Training for the fall season begins in the summer so that athletes are prepared and ready for a successful season. However, due to contact or overuse, sports injuries can occur. Physical therapy can help student-athletes regain strength, function, and range of motion safely following sports injuries.

The ACL is a primary ligament located in the knee joint. ACL injuries can occur through contact (helmet to the knee) or non-contact injury (sudden pivot or change of direction). Symptoms of an ACL injury include pain, an audible pop in the knee, swelling, and limited range of motion. Rehabilitation for an ACL injury typically is 9 to 16 months. Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist, Bobby, works with athletes to improve their range of motion and help them safely return to their sport through an intensive rehabilitation process.