The first stage of physical rehabilitation is the recovery stage, which is the most crucial part of the treatment process. Depending on the severity of the injuries, this stage may also be the longest. The primary goal of this stage is to minimize additional damage and allow the body to start healing. The body's initial response to injury is inflammation and pain, so it is essential to regulate inflammation, control pain, and protect the injured area to prevent further damage.
Phase 1 of the rehabilitation process focuses on managing pain and swelling (if present). The general rule in this phase is Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE). Licensed medical professionals may also use other modalities such as electrical stimulation or ultrasound to help with this process. If necessary, doctors can prescribe medications.
After the initial phase of treatment, subacute treatment should be initiated. This involves applying some tension to the affected area or injury. For muscle injuries, this may take the form of light weights, while for lower limb fractures it may involve increasing the amount of weight that can be applied. By carefully managing the load of the affected area during this stage, not only can recovery be accelerated but it also translates into greater repair resilience.
This leads to phase 5 of the rehabilitation process which gradually returns the athlete to full activity. Most physical therapists will try to guide you through four broad phases of injury rehabilitation. The magnitude of functional loss may be influenced by the nature and timing of therapeutic and rehabilitation intervention during the initial phase of injury. The objectives of the second phase of rehabilitation include limiting deterioration and recovering functional losses. Therefore, exercising in the injured area is not recommended during this phase, although there are some exceptions such as tendinopathy protocols used to rehabilitate Achilles tendon and patella injuries.
This phase can include restoring coordination and balance, improving speed, agility and sport-specific skills, moving from simple to complex.
