Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation

What are the basic components of rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation involves the use of exercises to promote adaptation within your body to (a) promote normal healing and reduce excessive scar tissue, (b) correct muscle imbalances; (c) prevent further injury.

In recovering from an injury it is recommended that you work on a given progressive programme, ideally with the help of a physiotherapist, a strength and conditioning expert or personal trainer.

Note that, when you do need physiotherapy for a problem, treatment should focus on exercise therapy. Although the use of machines (eg ultrasound, electrical stimulation, laser) may be helpful in some circumstances, it would be expected to form only a minor component of the therapy you receive.

Therapeutic exercise involves:

Flexibility work
Strengthening
Core Stability
Proprioception (co-ordination & balance)
Sport specific activities

Advice on specific problems is given under Specific Musculoskeletal Problems

Isokinetic Studies

This is a specific form of strength and endurance testing. It allows identification of muscle strength deficits that may not be apparent from other forms of assessment.

The studies are performed on a dynamometer in the physiotherapy unit. Different types of strength will be tested and the results analysed either by a doctor or physiotherapist.

This form of testing can be used to help to clarify the diagnosis and also to develop a customised rehabilitation programme, targeting the patients isolated muscle weaknesses and imbalances.

Wear loose fitting clothing for the test. The testing protocol involves you working hard to test your strength. Because you are exerting yourself, there is a small risk of soft tissue or joint injury. This is unlikely, but if you feel any discomfort during the test you can stop at any time. If you have any queries or concerns, ensure you speak with the physiotherapist prior to testing.