Netball Injury Prevention Program Launched

Netball Australia has launched The KNEE Program, which is a warm-up program aimed to reduce lower limb injuries (specifically Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries in the knee) in netballers.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries account for roughly a quarter of all serious netball injuries and have a significant impact on the lives of the injured individual.

The majority of injuries sustained during netball occur when the player lands from being in the air. The KNEE Program “targets safe take off and landing technique with specific attention to the overhead position required of netballers.”

The KNEE Program stands for Knee injury prevention forNetballers to Enhance performance and Extend play. There are 3 variations of the program catering to all netballers – Junior, Recreational & Elite. The program can be found at http://knee.netball.com.au/ and has a host of resources to explain the program in detail including videos of the program components.

All players, coaches and clubs should be encouraged to commence using the program on a regular basis to help reduce the overall number of serious lower-limb netball injuries.

Busting the Myth: You Need a Referral to see a Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists in Australia are considered to be primary contact practitioners. This means that a referral to see a physiotherapist from a medical practitioner is NOT required. This has been the situation in Australia since 1978. Australian physiotherapists were the first in the world to attain primary contact status. Many countries around the world have subsequently followed this move.

The only exception to this rule in Australia is if the patient's injury is subject to workers compensation or a compulsory third party insurance claim.

Concussion - Do You Know How To Recognise It?

Concussion is a serious injury which can result from direct or indirect impact to the head. The ramifications of concussion can be serious and therefore must be managed appropriately by trained medical professionals. How though do you determine whether someone is concussed and when to seek medical attention? Earlier this year, a group of world leading concussion experts met and developed a Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool. If you, your partner, your children or anyone that you know participates in activity whereby concussion may occur, I urge you to download a copy of the Pocket Concussion Recognition Tool and have it accessible to you.

Physio Fast Facts #4

1. Did you know that you have "core muscles" in your neck? "Core muscles" are regularly referred to in relation to your back, however they exist in your neck to help with your posture and to support the weight of your head.
2. Not everyone has the same number of bones! You can have little extra bones in many areas of the body although most commonly in the feet.
3. Try standing balancing with one foot directly in front of the other. Now try with the other foot in front. More than likely you were more balanced with one foot in front than the other!
4. Have you ever been referred to as being "double-jointed"? You won't actually have any additional joints. Your joints more than likely just allow you to have more movement than most people and this is referred to as being hypermobile.
5. After you injure yourself, your body doesn't necessarily move as it did before! Physiotherapists can help you to move "normally" again after you have an injury.

Detailed Guide to Ankle Strapping

Ankle strapping is commonly used as a preventative measure against sustaining ankle injuries and in the rehabilitation and return to activity following ankle injuries.

This detailed guide provides a step-by-step account (including photos) as to how to strap an ankle for the most common ankle injuries.

Happy taping!

Please note that the taping described is a generic ankle taping and that you are advised to consult with your health care professional to see if this form of strapping is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

Please also be aware that a small percentage of the population can have an allergic reaction to tape. If you are aware that you may have a reaction, you should not apply tape to yourself as per these guidelines. If you do experience an allergic reaction, you are advised to seek medical attention immediately.

Fast Physio Facts #3

1. The difference between running and walking is that running involves a period of time whereby neither foot is in contact with the ground. This period of time is know as the flight phase.
2. The cause of pain isn't always in the area where you feel the pain.
3. Breaks and fractures are actually the same thing when referring to bones.
4. When a joint is sprained, it never completely returns to its pre-injury state.
5. Some people can have an extra rib coming of their neck vertebrae!

Horses for Courses!

Did you know that particular injuries are more likely to occur when participating in certain sports?

You should be aware of the injuries that are most likely to occur in your chosen sport(s)!

Below is a non-inclusive list of some of the common injuries in certain sports:

Running: Patellofemoral (knee) pain, calf/hamstring strains, iliotibial band syndrome, tibial stress conditions (shin splints), heel/foot overuse injuries, low back injuries.

Swimming: Shoulder impingement injuries, back injuries, neck injuries, knee ligament/tendon injuries (particularly breaststroke).

Cycling: Patellofemoral (knee) pain, low back injuries, hip joint injuries, wrist and elbow nerve injuries (road bikes).

Netball: Ankle sprains, knee ligament injuries, finger sprains/dislocations, shoulder injuries.

Rowing: Rib stress fractures, wrist tendon/muscle/joint injuries, back injuries.

Cricket: Shoulder joint injuries, back injuries (including fractures), hamstring strains, muscular trunk injuries.

Soccer: Hamstring strains, adductor (groin) strains, pelvic bone injuries, ankle and knee ligament sprains.

AFL: Hamstring strains, shoulder dislocations, finger injuries, ankle and knee ligament sprains, low back injuries.

Rugby Union / Rugby League: Contact related injuries, AC (shoulder) joint injuries, back injuries, thumb injuries.

Hockey: Low back injuries, hamstring injuries, ankle sprains, ball contact injuries.

Basketball: Knee and ankle tendon injuries,ankle sprains, calf strains, finger injuries.

Golf: Back injuries, shoulder overuse type injuries, elbow overuse/technique related injuries, wrist injuries.

Tennis: Shoulder injuries, elbow tendon/joint injuries, upper and lower back injuries, knee ligament/tendon injuries, ankle ligament/tendon injuries. 

Dancing: Foot/ankle tendon injuries, foot stress fractures, back injuries.

If you would like to know more about injuries in your sport, contact your health professional, send us an email or comment below.