What Structures can be involved in Overuse Injuries?
Tendons injuries
Tendon insertion injures
Muscle injuries
Soft tissue compartments (e.g. compartment syndrome)
Cartilage injures
Nerve tissue
Bone (e.g. stress fracture)
Stress and strains are applied to the body everyday. Your body adapts by strengthening the various tissues involved - muscles get stronger, tendons get stronger and bone density increases. However, sometimes adaptation cannot occur, and then excessive overload can cause micro trauma injuries, which can result in inflammation.
What are the signs of chronic overload or inflammation?
Swelling
Pain
Redness
Impaired function
Often the first signs may be stiffness or soreness (especially first thing).
Stages of an Overuse Injury
Discomfort that gets worse during the activity or constant discomfort most of the time.
1) can continue through activity, with no progression in pain.
2) the activity may continue at a modified pain-free level while being treated. Treatment must continue until fully healed.
3) increased pain - reduce activity, until guided otherwise by the therapist.
Overuse Injuries Causes
Reduced muscle strength/endurance
Poor core strength
Muscle imbalance/instability
Inflexibility/reduced joint mobility
Biomechanical issues
Poor technique
Overuse Injury Prevention
Overuse injuries can be prevented and here are some of the ways to prevent this injury below:
Warm-up (including dynamic stretching) and warm-down (including static stretching) Use proper equipment
Gradual increased in intensity 10% increase per week
Practice and concentrate on correct technique
Allow for good conditioning - strength and flexibility
Monitor pain and fatigue
Early identification and treatment will allow you to continue your activity. Identify and correct the cause of pain or discomfort and ensure full injury rehabilitation.
Are you suffering with a chronic overuse injury? Get in touch to fund out further information. We have clinics in Solihull, Birmingham and Bromsgrove offering assessment, treatment and rehabilitation for chronic injuries.
01564330773