Orthopaedics is the study of the musculoskeletal system. Injuries to this system can include injuries to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and nerves. These injuries may be acute where the mechanism of injury is obvious or they may be chronic adaptive overuse injuries where the mechanism of injury is hidden underneath adjustments the body has made over time.
Physiotherapy treatment of orthopaedic and sport injuries involves returning the musculoskeletal system to proper health and function. Not only is direct treatment of the injured structure important but so is unraveling the adaptations the body has undergone as a result of the injury. Whether it be a person who is recovering from a hip replacement or an athlete who is experiencing knee pain with added training or mileage, physiotherapy can help promote proper healing and retraining of the musculoskeletal system to function in an optimal way.
Rehabilitation of an acute ankle sprain may seem straightforward but it is important to discover why the ankle gave way in the first place. By assessing how the body moves as well as where the body is not moving ideally, physiotherapy educates the central nervous system on correct movement patterning and thereby helps prevent further musculoskeletal issues in the future.
