Brief, easy-to-understand answers to common sports injury, treatment, and rehabilitation questions.
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Both surgical and non-surgical treatment may be appropriate. The plan depends on the extent and timing of the tear, age, health, and activity goals. Structured immobilisation and rehabilitation are important with either approach.
Read answerSome people can still walk with difficulty, so walking does not rule out a rupture. Seek prompt assessment after a pop followed by pain behind the heel, weakness, or inability to rise onto the toes of one leg.
Read answerLigament laxity, reduced strength, and impaired balance or proprioception can all contribute. A structured strength and balance programme can help lower the risk of recurrence.
Read answerReduced swelling is only one part of recovery. Range of motion, strength, balance, and sport-specific movement should also be assessed, without significant pain or instability during running, jumping, or cutting.
Read answerSeek assessment if you cannot bear weight, have marked tenderness over a foot or ankle bone, deformity, or severe pain and swelling. A clinician can decide whether an X-ray is needed to rule out fracture.
Read answerActivity modification, medication, and rehabilitation can often be tried first. Arthroscopy may be assessed when symptoms persist, function is substantially limited, and testing confirms relevant labral or structural damage.
Read answerNo. Some people have these bony shapes without symptoms. Targeted treatment is considered when the symptoms, physical examination, and imaging findings correspond.
Read answerYes. Hip impingement can cause groin pain during squatting, turning, or deep hip flexion. Tendon, labral, and other hip disorders can produce similar symptoms.
Read answerRepeated dislocations may damage the labrum, ligaments, or bone. Surgery can repair or reconstruct stabilising structures, but the decision also depends on recurrence, age, and sporting goals.
Read answerDo not try to force the shoulder back into place yourself or ask an untrained person to do so. This can worsen a fracture or nerve and blood vessel injury. Support the arm and seek urgent medical care.
Read answerFrozen shoulder usually restricts both active and passive movement. Rotator cuff injury more often causes pain, weakness, or difficulty actively raising the arm. The two conditions can also occur together.
Read answerNight pain is common with rotator cuff disorders, but frozen shoulder, bursitis, and other shoulder conditions can cause similar symptoms. Range of motion, strength testing, and sometimes imaging are needed.
Read answerMany rotator cuff tears do not require immediate surgery. Rehabilitation may be tried for mild or degenerative symptoms. Acute traumatic tears, marked weakness, or symptoms that persist despite treatment warrant surgical assessment.
Read answerArticular cartilage has limited capacity to heal. Treatment depends on the size, location, and depth of the defect, as well as age and activity needs, and may include rehabilitation, load modification, or cartilage restoration surgery.
Read answerYes. Repeated dislocations can increase the risk of cartilage damage to the patella and femoral trochlea. Assessment may include the patellofemoral ligaments, leg alignment, and bony anatomy.
Read answerMost first-time dislocations can initially be treated with bracing and rehabilitation. Surgery may be considered when there is substantial osteochondral injury, major structural abnormality, or a high risk of recurrence.
Read answerSurgery is usually not recommended on the MRI finding alone. Doctors also consider symptoms and examination findings, because some degenerative meniscus changes cause no clinical symptoms.
Read answerRepair aims to preserve the meniscus and is used for tears with healing potential. Partial meniscectomy removes unstable tissue that cannot be repaired. Tear location, blood supply, and tissue quality guide the choice.
Read answerA displaced fragment from a meniscus tear can block joint movement, although other injuries inside the knee may also cause this problem. A truly locked knee should be assessed promptly.
Read answerNot always. Treatment depends on the tear pattern and location, symptoms, age, and activity goals. Activity modification and structured rehabilitation may be tried first when there is no significant locking or persistent pain.
Read answerCurrent evidence is mainly preclinical, from cell and animal studies. More human research is needed on safety, efficacy, and standardised use.
Read answerAssessment combines history, examination, and imaging. X-rays show bony structure; MRI can assess the labrum, cartilage, and surrounding soft tissues.
Read answerYes. Recurrent groin pain, deep hip pain, or activity-related symptoms can warrant assessment for hip instability.
Read answerIt may be considered for professional athletes, contact-sport participants, or people with very high stability requirements; the decision is individualised.
Read answerSingle-bundle reconstruction uses one graft. Double-bundle reconstruction recreates two ACL bundles, has higher rotational-stability requirements, and is more complex.
Read answerIt often takes about six months or longer and should follow return-to-sport testing of strength, balance, jumping, and movement control.
Read answerJogging commonly begins at about three months after motion, strength, swelling, and movement control meet recovery criteria.
Read answerIt depends on pain, swelling, strength, and any meniscus repair. Many patients progressively restore weight bearing and gait early.
Read answerMany protocols begin quadriceps and range-of-motion exercises early after surgery. The exact pace should follow the surgical team.
Read answerOverall results are similar. Hamstring grafts use a smaller incision and may cause less anterior-knee discomfort; patellar tendon grafts have firm initial fixation but anterior-knee pain deserves attention.
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