The Role of Physiotherapy in Treating Stress Fractures in Athletes

Sports physiotherapy for stress fractures in athletes involves a comprehensive approach to managing and rehabilitating the injury. Stress fractures develop due to repetitive stress or overuse, often seen in athletes who engage in activities that involve repetitive impact, like running, jumping, or dancing. Sports physiotherapy in Edmonton aims to facilitate optimal healing, restore function, address underlying risk factors, and empower athletes to return to their sport safely while minimizing the risk of re-injury.

How Does Physiotherapy Contribute to the Treatment of Stress Fractures?

Sports physiotherapy in Edmonton plays a crucial role in the comprehensive treatment of stress fractures in athletes, focusing on both rehabilitation and prevention. Here’s how physiotherapy contributes to managing stress fractures:

Pain Management:

Physiotherapists employ various modalities to manage pain and inflammation in athletes with stress fractures. This may include ice and heat therapy, electrical stimulation, manual therapy techniques, and taping or bracing to provide support and reduce stress on the affected area. Commonly used pain management techniques:

Electrical Stimulation:

Modalities like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or interferential current (IFC) may be used to modulate pain signals, promote circulation, and stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. Electrical stimulation can help reduce pain perception and improve muscle function in athletes with stress fractures.

• Interferential Current (IFC): IFC involves the use of medium-frequency electrical currents to penetrate deeper into tissues, promoting vasodilation, improving circulation, and accelerating the healing process by reducing inflammation and enhancing nutrient delivery to the injured area in athletes with stress fractures.

Manual Therapy Techniques: 

Physiotherapists may employ hands-on techniques such as massage, joint mobilizations, and soft tissue mobilization to reduce muscle tension, improve joint mobility, and alleviate pain associated with stress fractures. Manual therapy can help promote tissue healing and restore normal movement patterns.

• Massage Therapy: Gentle manipulation of soft tissues helps minimize muscle tension, enhance blood flow, and promote relaxation, aiding in pain relief and tissue healing in athletes with stress fractures.
• Joint Mobilizations: Controlled movements applied to specific joints help restore normal joint mobility and function, reducing stiffness and promoting optimal biomechanics during the healing process of stress fractures.

Taping and Bracing: 

Taping techniques, such as kinesiology taping or athletic taping, may be used to provide support and stability to the affected area, minimizing stress on the injured bone and surrounding tissues. Additionally, braces or orthotic devices may be prescribed to offload weight from the injured bone and facilitate healing.

• Kinesiology Taping: Kinesiology tape is applied over muscles and joints to provide support, reduce pain, and enhance circulation, aiding in the management of stress fractures by enhancing proprioception and facilitating natural movement patterns.
• Athletic Taping: Traditional athletic tape is used to immobilize or support the affected area, providing stability and reducing strain on the injured bone during weight-bearing activities, thereby promoting healing and preventing further damage in athletes with stress fractures.

Restoration of Mobility and Function: 

During the initial stages of rehabilitation, physiotherapists focus on maintaining or restoring mobility and function while the fracture heals. They may prescribe specific exercises to maintain the range of motion in surrounding joints, prevent muscle atrophy, and facilitate tissue healing. Here are some common strategies used in sports physiotherapy for this purpose:

Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises: 

Physiotherapists prescribe specific exercises to maintain or improve the range of motion in surrounding joints, such as the ankle, knee, hip, or spine. These exercises may include gentle stretching, joint mobilizations, and active or passive range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness and maintain flexibility.

• Knee Flexion and Extension Range: Controlled knee flexion and extension exercises aid in maintaining or restoring normal knee joint range of motion, promoting optimal biomechanics and reducing strain on the surrounding muscles and bones in athletes with stress fractures.

Proprioception and Balance Training: 

Proprioceptive and balance exercises are crucial for improving neuromuscular control, coordination, and proprioception, which are often impaired following an injury. These exercises may involve standing on unstable surfaces, single-leg balance exercises, and proprioceptive drills to enhance joint stability and minimize the risk of re-injury.

• Single-Leg Balance Exercises: Standing on one leg with eyes open or closed challenges proprioception and improves balance, helping athletes develop stability and coordination in the lower extremities, which is essential for preventing re-injury and promoting recovery from stress fractures.

Biomechanical Analysis and Correction: 

Physiotherapists analyze the athlete’s biomechanics to identify any contributing factors to the stress fracture, such as gait abnormalities, muscle imbalances, or faulty movement patterns. They then implement corrective strategies through targeted exercises, manual therapy, and education to address these issues and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Gait Analysis: 

Physiotherapists analyze the athlete’s gait pattern to identify any abnormalities or asymmetries that may contribute to excessive stress on certain bones or joints. This analysis may involve visual observation, video recording, or using specialized equipment such as pressure plates or motion analysis systems.

Orthotic Prescription: 

In some cases, custom orthotic devices might be recommended to correct foot alignment, redistribute pressure, and improve biomechanical efficiency. Orthotics can help address issues such as overpronation, high arches, or leg length discrepancies that contribute to stress fractures.

Return to Sport Guidance: 

Physiotherapists play a crucial role in guiding athletes through the process of returning to sport safely after a stress fracture. They monitor the athlete’s progress closely, gradually increasing the intensity and volume of activity as tolerated and providing guidance on modifying training regimens to prevent overuse and re-injury.

Efficient Rehabilitation:

Sports physiotherapy in Edmonton plays a pivotal role in the comprehensive management of stress fractures in athletes. Sports physiotherapists of Turning Point Physiotherapy in Edmonton prioritize education and injury prevention, empowering athletes with the knowledge and tools to mitigate risk factors and adopt healthy training practices. Through collaborative efforts with athletes, coaches, and healthcare professionals, physiotherapists facilitate a safe and successful return to sport, ensuring athletes can resume their activities with confidence and resilience. Sports injury physiotherapy serves as a vital component of the athlete’s journey toward recovery, fostering optimal physical health, performance, and long-term well-being.