Rehabilitation after Soft Tissue Trauma

There is little that can be called new in the field of rehabilitation after soft tissue trauma.It is practised in all branches of medicine and the particular aspect with which we are dealing here can be seen in the physical medicine department of any well run hospital.The main differences between such departments and those dealing with professional athletes, in this case footballers, are as follows: Philosophy and DisciplineThe patients demand 100% fitness.In almost every other occupation 60 to 80%o recovery might be acceptable, but this level will not allow any athlete to resume his chosen profession.There is therefore a distinct similarity in both philosophy and approach to that seen during World War 11 in the rehabilitation of severely injured and expensively trained personnel by the Service rehabilitation units.As the figures in this paper will show, however, the trauma sustained by footballers, whilst incapacitating for them, represents for the most part 'orthopaedic minutiae ' compared with the injuries in the armed services.When dealing with the establishment of a sports injury unit, the aim is to create a full-time dynamic rehabilitation routine within a controlled environment.Apart from maintaining morale the system allows for constant observation by the staff, both medical and auxiliary, and maintains a close contact between doctor and patient.It also permits changes in the rehabilitation programme at any stage in the recovery process. ENconomics and MotivationWhen one considers that a First Division football team is worth between £400, 000 and £700, 000, it is hardly surprising that there is pressure from all sides when a player is injured.The motivation of the individual is