Symptoms
- Sudden onset of pain during activity
- Swelling and bruising
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle weakness
- Pain with contraction or stretching
Common causes
- Overexertion during physical activity
- Inadequate warm-up
- Muscle fatigue
- Poor flexibility
- Sudden explosive movements
- Muscle imbalances
How physiotherapy helps
Treatment follows a progressive loading approach: initial RICE protocol, gentle ROM exercises, progressive isometric to concentric to eccentric strengthening, and sport/activity-specific rehabilitation.
Exercises your physiotherapist may give you
- Gentle stretching (pain-free range)
- Isometric contractions
- Progressive resistance exercises
- Eccentric strengthening
- Sport-specific movements
- Plyometric exercises (late phase)
Please note: start these exercises only after an assessment, and stop if pain increases. Your physiotherapist will choose the right exercises, number of repetitions and progression for you.
Guide written by the physiotherapists of CAPT – Centre for Advanced Physiotherapy, MVM Educational Trust. For more reading, search MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine).