Sports Injuries

Understanding Sports Injuries: Common Presentations and Physiotherapy Treatments

As a physiotherapist, one of the most frequent reasons people walk into my clinic is because of a sports injury. Whether you’re a weekend runner, a dedicated gym-goer, or a competitive athlete, injuries are an unfortunate but common part of physical activity. The good news? With the right assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation, most sports injuries can be effectively managed and even prevented in the future.

Let’s explore some of the most common sports injuries, what they look like, and how physiotherapy can help you recover safely and return to doing what you love.

1. Sprains and Strains

Sprains involve overstretching or tearing of ligaments (the bands that connect bones at a joint), while strains affect muscles or tendons.
Common sites: Ankles, knees, and wrists.
Typical symptoms: Swelling, bruising, pain, and instability around the joint.

Physiotherapy Treatment:
Early management follows the POLICE principle – Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Once the acute phase settles, physiotherapy focuses on restoring range of motion, strength, and proprioception (joint awareness). Specific balance and stability exercises help prevent re-injury.

2. Tendinopathies (e.g., Achilles, Patellar, or Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy)

Often caused by repetitive overuse or sudden increases in training load.
Symptoms: Localised pain, stiffness (especially in the morning or after activity), and tenderness over the tendon.

Physiotherapy Treatment:
The mainstay of treatment is progressive loading exercises that gradually strengthen the tendon without aggravating symptoms. Manual therapy, taping, and shockwave therapy may complement rehabilitation. Education around training load management and biomechanics is key to long-term recovery.

3. Muscle Tears (e.g., Hamstring or Quadriceps Strain)

Often occur during high-speed activities like sprinting or kicking.
Symptoms: Sudden sharp pain, swelling, and sometimes bruising.

Physiotherapy Treatment:
After the initial healing phase, physiotherapy focuses on graded strengthening, flexibility work, and functional retraining. Eccentric strengthening and sport-specific drills are essential before returning to play.

4. Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)

A common overuse injury, particularly in runners and cyclists.
Symptoms: Aching pain around or behind the kneecap, especially when squatting, climbing stairs, or sitting for long periods.

Physiotherapy Treatment:
Treatment includes muscle rebalancing—strengthening the hips, glutes, and quadriceps while addressing tightness in surrounding tissues. Biomechanical assessment of gait and footwear advice can help correct contributing factors.

5. Shoulder Injuries (e.g., Rotator Cuff Tears, Shoulder Impingement)

Common in sports requiring overhead activity such as tennis, swimming, or throwing.
Symptoms: Shoulder pain with overhead motion, weakness, and reduced range of motion.

Physiotherapy Treatment:
Physiotherapy aims to restore shoulder mechanics through strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapular stabilisers. Postural correction and flexibility training for the chest and upper back are also vital.

6. Ankle Sprains

One of the most frequent sports injuries, often caused by rolling the ankle inward.
Symptoms: Pain on the outside of the ankle, swelling, and difficulty weight-bearing.

Physiotherapy Treatment:
In addition to acute management, rehab includes balance, proprioception, and agility training. Persistent instability can be prevented through targeted strengthening and movement retraining.

The Role of Physiotherapy in Sports Injury Management

Physiotherapists are movement specialists who not only treat the injury but also address the underlying cause. A thorough assessment identifies contributing factors such as muscle imbalance, poor technique, or training errors.

Treatment plans typically include:

Manual therapy to relieve pain and restore mobility
Exercise prescription tailored to the individual’s sport and recovery phase
Education and load management strategies
Sport-specific rehabilitation to ensure safe return to play
Prevention programs to reduce recurrence risk

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Physiotherapy isn’t just about recovery—it’s about optimising performance and preventing injury. Regular mobility work, strength training, and appropriate warm-up and cool-down routines can make a huge difference.

If you experience a sports injury, don’t ignore it. Early physiotherapy intervention can speed up recovery, reduce the risk of chronic problems, and help you return to your sport stronger than before.