Abstract
This short chapter presents the critical thinking behind the guidelines concerning rehabilitation of the lower limb, a wide but incomplete field. Rehabilitation involves the management of injuries, essentially through the use of several different physical agents and therapeutic exercises. Knowledge related to the time frame of tissue healing, inflammatory process, basic training principles, the underlying science, and biomechanics is of utmost importance to every sports medicine professional. Here, essential information is provided about four of the most prevalent injuries of the lower limb: hamstring ruptures, patellar tendinopathy, anterior cruciate ligament rupture (reconstruction), and acute ankle sprains. Rehabilitation goals, treatment strategies, new assessment devices, criteria to return to play, and promising new therapies are discussed. The discussion of injury prevention provides the most up-to-date evidence related to ACL rupture. The current focus is on strength, balance, proprioceptive, and neuromuscular training programs.
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Espregueira-Mendes, J., Barbosa Pereira, R., Monteiro, A. (2011). Lower Limb Rehabilitation. In: Margheritini, F., Rossi, R. (eds) Orthopedic Sports Medicine. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1702-3_34
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-1702-3_34
Publisher Name: Springer, Milano
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