When a sports injury knocks you down, you want to get right back in the game. However, putting too much pressure on an injured and still-healing part of your body often causes lasting physical damage. You can even end your career by returning too early or taking the wrong approach.
Dr. Michael Blackwell and the sports medicine experts at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine advise their patients on safely returning to play. We provide hand and wrist care, foot and ankle care, and other types of sports medicine treatment from our four locations in Tomball, Kingwood, and Conroe, Texas.
Our team’s favorite tips for returning to play after a sports injury focus on gradually increasing activity, protecting your body as it heals, and listening to your body as it recovers. This advice can help you return to your sport stronger than ever.
Athletes need a lot of drive to push for success. When you experience a sports injury, that same drive may tempt you to rush your recovery. To heal safely, however, you need to channel your drive into fully recovering and resist the urge to push your limits.
Slow but steady wins this race. Start with low-impact activities and work your way up to full workouts. Put your determination toward your post-treatment physical therapy plan, and listen to Dr. Blackwell on how long you need to wait before raising your activity levels.
Whether you’ve injured a foot, ankle, or leg, or suffered from a shoulder, wrist, or hand injury, your body needs support and freedom from harmful pressure during the healing process. Your recovery plan may involve special instructions for protecting the injured area of your body.
A lower-body injury might call for crutches, an immobilizing boot, or splinting and taping. An upper-body injury might mean you need a sling or brace to redistribute pressure. Often, you can’t return until these supportive measures are no longer needed. However, taping or bracing may also help keep you safe as you restart your training.
Reinjury often heightens the risk of further injuries. For example, you need to avoid reinjury after an ankle sprain, shoulder dislocation, bone fracture, or Achilles tendon tear. It’s worth taking extra care with your injured body part until you’re fully healed.
Your plan is one thing; the reality of returning to your sport is another. Even if you expect to engage in more intense activity, pay attention to your body and respond to the signals of pain, fatigue, weakness, or dizziness. Be prepared to adjust your activity levels based on the feedback you receive from your body.
With expert sports injury treatment and excellent post-injury support, Dr. Blackwell and the team at the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine ensure that our patients recover as well as possible. We work with you on your athletic goals, assisting you in returning to your sport with safety and confidence.
For sports medicine support and sports injury care, contact us online or over the phone now and schedule your appointment.
