Unit 18- Assignment 3
Task One
P6 & M3
Design safe and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation programmes for two common
sports injuries
Design a safe and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation programme for two
P6
common sports injuries, with tutor support.
M Independently design a safe and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation
3 programme for two common sports injuries.
Requirements:
A description of the initial treatment immediately after the injury (e.g. RICE)
Descriptions of activities to be completed at each stage of the rehabilitation process
A description of the timescales for each stage of rehabilitation
ACL Injury Treatment
An ACL injury usually occurs after either a cutting manoeuvre or single leg standing, landing or
jumping. There may be an audible pop or crack at the time of injury. A feeling of initial instability
which may be masked later by extensive swelling. Episodes of giving way especially on pivoting or
twisting motions. Patient has a trick knee and predictable instability. A torn ACL is extremely painful,
particularly immediately after sustaining the injury. Swelling of the knee, usually immediate and
extensive, but can be minimal or delayed through the use of RICE (rest, ice, compression and
elevation) as the ice and compression will reduce the swelling and the rest and elevation will not
stress the injury any further. Restricted movement, especially an inability to fully extend the knee.
Possible widespread mild tenderness. Tenderness at the medial side of the joint which may indicate
cartilage injury.
Stages of Rehabilitation
The following ACL recovery timeline has been split into 5 key phases which includes:
Commencement Stage 1- from 0 to 2 weeks
Build Stage 2- from 2 to 12 weeks
Advance Stage 3- from 3 to 4 months
Preparation Stage 4- from 4 to 6 months, and
Return to Sport Stage 5- from 6 to 9 months
, Stage 1
0 to 2 Weeks After Surgery
The first stage of your ACL recovery timeline is referred to as the Commencement Stage and whilst
all 5 stage are important, the Commencement Stage is critical to setting the foundations for a
successful recovery. Your post-operative rehabilitation begins immediately after surgery. Following
surgery you will return home from hospital after 1 to 2 days. Although sometimes if you have
surgery in the morning you may return home that same afternoon. It is important that you do not
delay rehabilitation and begin exercises and your ACL recovery protocols such as management of
swelling as soon as you awake from the operation. Your surgeon and hospital physio will be on site
to get you started.
At this point your key goals in the first few critical days and up to two weeks after surgery include:
Returning normal range of motion especially knee extension (straightening). In other words
achieving and maintaining full extension of your knee. Being able to fully lock your knee is
highly critical to the success of your ACL recovery in the early stages
Maintaining that knee locking capability is also very important throughout the course of your
recovery and to enable a return to sports and full activity later in your timeline
Reduce swelling and inflammation in the knee as much as possible through regular icing,
elevation of the knee and wearing a compression bandage
Full quadriceps activation which commences by regaining function of your quadriceps at the
front of your thigh
Also within the first two weeks following your ACL operation you should aim to:
Focus on walking after surgery in a normal way. Initially you are likely to require crutches
and a good progression is to move from 2 crutches to 1 crutch within about a week after
surgery. Steadily you should aim to improve your walking gait within the first few weeks and
reduce your reliance on crutches
Many people are off the crutches within 2 weeks after surgery
Limit any sudden movements or twisting on your knee in particularly in the early stages
when knee swelling and tenderness are prevalent
Be sure to rest your body and sleep in a way that you find the most comfortable. Receiving
adequate amounts of rest and sleep is another important ingredient to your ACL recovery
You should basically aim to be resting at home in the first week post-surgery by keeping the
knee as elevated as much as possible.
Task One
P6 & M3
Design safe and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation programmes for two common
sports injuries
Design a safe and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation programme for two
P6
common sports injuries, with tutor support.
M Independently design a safe and appropriate treatment and rehabilitation
3 programme for two common sports injuries.
Requirements:
A description of the initial treatment immediately after the injury (e.g. RICE)
Descriptions of activities to be completed at each stage of the rehabilitation process
A description of the timescales for each stage of rehabilitation
ACL Injury Treatment
An ACL injury usually occurs after either a cutting manoeuvre or single leg standing, landing or
jumping. There may be an audible pop or crack at the time of injury. A feeling of initial instability
which may be masked later by extensive swelling. Episodes of giving way especially on pivoting or
twisting motions. Patient has a trick knee and predictable instability. A torn ACL is extremely painful,
particularly immediately after sustaining the injury. Swelling of the knee, usually immediate and
extensive, but can be minimal or delayed through the use of RICE (rest, ice, compression and
elevation) as the ice and compression will reduce the swelling and the rest and elevation will not
stress the injury any further. Restricted movement, especially an inability to fully extend the knee.
Possible widespread mild tenderness. Tenderness at the medial side of the joint which may indicate
cartilage injury.
Stages of Rehabilitation
The following ACL recovery timeline has been split into 5 key phases which includes:
Commencement Stage 1- from 0 to 2 weeks
Build Stage 2- from 2 to 12 weeks
Advance Stage 3- from 3 to 4 months
Preparation Stage 4- from 4 to 6 months, and
Return to Sport Stage 5- from 6 to 9 months
, Stage 1
0 to 2 Weeks After Surgery
The first stage of your ACL recovery timeline is referred to as the Commencement Stage and whilst
all 5 stage are important, the Commencement Stage is critical to setting the foundations for a
successful recovery. Your post-operative rehabilitation begins immediately after surgery. Following
surgery you will return home from hospital after 1 to 2 days. Although sometimes if you have
surgery in the morning you may return home that same afternoon. It is important that you do not
delay rehabilitation and begin exercises and your ACL recovery protocols such as management of
swelling as soon as you awake from the operation. Your surgeon and hospital physio will be on site
to get you started.
At this point your key goals in the first few critical days and up to two weeks after surgery include:
Returning normal range of motion especially knee extension (straightening). In other words
achieving and maintaining full extension of your knee. Being able to fully lock your knee is
highly critical to the success of your ACL recovery in the early stages
Maintaining that knee locking capability is also very important throughout the course of your
recovery and to enable a return to sports and full activity later in your timeline
Reduce swelling and inflammation in the knee as much as possible through regular icing,
elevation of the knee and wearing a compression bandage
Full quadriceps activation which commences by regaining function of your quadriceps at the
front of your thigh
Also within the first two weeks following your ACL operation you should aim to:
Focus on walking after surgery in a normal way. Initially you are likely to require crutches
and a good progression is to move from 2 crutches to 1 crutch within about a week after
surgery. Steadily you should aim to improve your walking gait within the first few weeks and
reduce your reliance on crutches
Many people are off the crutches within 2 weeks after surgery
Limit any sudden movements or twisting on your knee in particularly in the early stages
when knee swelling and tenderness are prevalent
Be sure to rest your body and sleep in a way that you find the most comfortable. Receiving
adequate amounts of rest and sleep is another important ingredient to your ACL recovery
You should basically aim to be resting at home in the first week post-surgery by keeping the
knee as elevated as much as possible.
