The Phases of Rehab

If you want to have effective rehab, there is a process to follow.

Regardless if you had surgery or sprained your ankle

The phases of rehab are always the same

The injury will dictate how long you STAY in each phase.

none of this means it’s a straight line

Here’s what your rehab SHOULD look like

Phase 1 - Acute phase

The injury is knee and the goal is to reduce inflammation and make sure the joint/muscle works.

In this phase total rest is fine, or at least pain free movement since the area may be irritable

Phase 2 - Sub-acute phase

The joint works (better) so you can work to restore range of motion and start tolerable strength work

I like isometrics for this phase

Here's some science on how to fix tendinitis

Phase 3 - Intermediate Phase

Exercises can get more intense as you manipulate different types of muscle contractions

We already started isometrics, so you can increase the intensity

In rehab we are primary focused on “function,” so you will start to add in the activities that

• you can’t do

• that got you hurt in the first place

If the goal is return to sports, you’d see things that look “more athletic”

Phase 4 - Advanced Phase

Exercises and activities should be progressed at least to your OLD levels. Ideally you progressed BEYOND your old levels.

If you were an athlete, you’d be back at practice with the goal of FULL participation.

At the end you’re ready to play in a game.

Phase 5 - Maintenance Phase

It took you several months to get to this phase. Guess what would happen if you just stopped all the work it took you to get to this phase?

It would mean the last several months were for NOTHING

You should have a new baseline and your program should be designed to KEEP that new baseline.

How long in each phase

A general rule of thumb

• Phase 1: 1 weeks

• Phase 2: 1-2 weeks

• Phase 3-4: 4-6 weeks (each)

• Phase 5: forever but in 6-12 week chunks

The injury will dictate how long in each phase. With something simple like an ankle sprain, i’ve moved someone through phase 1-3 in the first week.

For a surgery, expect the far end of the range.

It is very common for phases to overlap, but be sure not to skip one entirely.

Remember to move today

Bengal

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