With FisioScience we discover how rehabilitation works for an injury like this and what the recovery times can be
Article by Dr. Paolo TorneriPhysiotherapist in San Martino Buon Albergo (VR), co-founder of PhysioScience and author of books and publications in the medical-scientific field.
In Milan’s recent match against Lecce, the football world held its breath watching Rafael Leao, the Rossoneri star, left the pitch in obvious pain. The first diagnoses speak of one first degree injury to the biceps femoris of the right thigh. This type of injury, although less serious than others, still raises concerns and concerns recovery process and the implications for a player of his caliber.
What is a first degree hamstring injury
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A first degree injury refers to a small tear in the muscle fibers, which causes pain and limitations in movement, but without causing a complete loss of muscle function. AND a common injury among athletes, especially in sports that require sprinting and strides such as football. Although it is considered the least serious of the types of muscle injury, it still requires special attention to ensure complete healing and above all to avoid recurrences.
Leao, injury and recovery times
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The recovery time may vary depending on the extent of the injury and the individual’s response to rehabilitation. Generally, for a first degree injury to the hamstring, recovery can be expected ranges from 18 to 25 days. The injuries “Sprinting-Type”this is how those that involve the biceps femoris and occur during running are classified, are usually associated with a rapid reduction in symptoms, but with a longer recovery time and a higher rate of relapse. It will therefore be essential that, during this period, Leao follows an individualized rehabilitation path aimed at minimizing the formation of scar and restore the function of the muscle compartment.
For Leao, prudent rehabilitation in several phases
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Rehabilitation will begin with a focus on first 3-4 days (inflammatory phase) on compression therapy, limb elevation and initial active and assisted muscle activation in the permitted joint ranges. They then fit in increasingly intense and specific exercises to recover muscle strength and increase the working volume of the posterior thigh muscles. From the 5th day you can start with the preparatory to the race and gradually, monitoring the responses to the load, move towards specific exercises for football and the functional demands that a match requires.
The recommendation to Leao: return without haste to avoid relapses
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The main challenge will be to don’t get caught up in the rush and guarantee a return once it has been ascertained that Leao has the necessary clinical requirements for a safe return to sport. There is always the temptation to rush a return, especially for a key player like Leao. However, premature return may increase the risk of recurrence or more serious injuries. The goal is therefore balancing the need for rest and recovery with the desire to return to play as soon as possible.
Bibliography
- Chu, S. K., & Rho, M. E. (2016). Hamstring Injuries in the Athlete: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Return to Play. Current sports medicine reports, 15(3), 184–190. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.000000000000026
- Sherry, M. A., & Best, T. M. (2004). A comparison of 2 rehabilitation programs in the treatment of acute hamstring strains. The Journal of orthopedic and sports physical therapy, 34(3), 116–125. https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2004.34.3.116
- Hickey, J. T., Timmins, R. G., Maniar, N., Williams, M. D., & Opar, D. A. (2017). Criteria for Progressing Rehabilitation and Determining Return-to-Play Clearance Following Hamstring Strain Injury: A Systematic Review. Sports medicine (Auckland, NZ), 47(7), 1375–1387. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0667-x
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