Sports InjuriesPrevention, Rehab & Return-to-Play

Understand common injuries, how to prevent them, and how physiotherapy guides safe return‑to‑sport.

Which sports have higher injury risk?

Injury rates vary by sport and position. Cutting, jumping and contact sports carry higher risk for knee and ankle injuries, while overhead and racquet sports stress the shoulder and elbow. Use the links below to explore common injuries and related symptoms.

Browse all symptoms: Symptoms directory

What are sports injuries?

Common injury examples

Symptoms

• Pain and swelling around the injured area
• Reduced movement or confidence with sport skills
• Weakness and reduced power during sprints, jumps or cuts

How can physiotherapy help?

Rehab progresses from pain relief to strength and sport‑specific drills, then objective testing for safe return.

Core components

• Education and load management
• Mobility and progressive strengthening
• Plyometrics, change‑of‑direction and endurance
• Objective return‑to‑play criteria and testing

Effective treatments

What happens in a physiotherapy session?

• Subjective: sport, goals, training schedule and flares
• Testing: range, strength, power and movement quality
• Education: load plan, recovery, prevention
• Plan: strength → plyometrics → sport‑specific → testing

Can you manage sports injuries at home?

Often yes—use a graded plan balancing rest and progressive loading.

Weekly progression example

• Week 1–2: pain/swelling control + easy mobility
• Week 3–4: strength and low‑impact conditioning
• Week 5+: plyometrics and sport‑specific skills

When should you seek help?

• Significant trauma, deformity or inability to bear weight
• Symptoms persisting beyond 2–3 weeks
• Difficulty returning to training or competition

FAQs