Rehabilitation Plan

As a basketball player, we cannot run from a lower-body injury. It is like a common injury for sport such as basketball, football, rugby and etc. I also experienced a lower leg injury which is shin splint before. I know that a lot of people will experience this injury. So today, I will share with you guys the rehabilitation plan for a lower leg injury. the rehabilitation plan includes goals and exercises. There are several phases of the plan.

All of these rehabilitation plans are my own plan that I make for my client before. Any questions you may ask below. 

Phase 1

Goals: 1. Reduce pain 2. Full pain free range of movement 3. Resume normal walking	Exercises
Range of movement and stretching program	1. Calf stretch 2. Active ankle range of movement 3. Ankle ABC 4. Knee straightening in lying
Strengthening	1. Knee straightening in sitting 2. Towel toe curls 3. Paper pick ups 4. Toe Raises
Proprioception, balance and co-ordination	1. Gym ball sitting balance
General mobility and cardiovascular	1. Walking with crutches 2. Sit to stand with crutches 3. Stairs with crutches

Phase 2

Goals: 1. Full pain free passive range of movement 2. Normal walking pattern with varying speed and on uneven surfaces 3. Pain free muscle strengthening	Exercises
Range of movement and stretching program	1. Standing calf stretch 2. Standing soleus stretch 3. Hamstring stretch in lying 4. Quadriceps stretch in lying 5. Knee straightening with chair
Strengthening	1. Theraband dorsiflexion 2. Theraband plantar flexion 3. Theraband ABCs 4. Double heel raise 5. Half double leg squat
Proprioception, balance and co-ordination	1. Single leg standing 2. Lunge kneeling 3. Tandem walking 4. Ball work against wall
General mobility and cardiovascular	1. Static bike 2. Aqua jogging 3. Step ups

Phase 3

Goals: 1. Begin moderate to advanced strengthening 2. Pain free weight bearing strengthening 3. Increase physical activity level gradually	Exercises
Range of movement and stretching program	1. Standing calf stretch 2. Standing soleus stretch 3. Hamstring stretch in lying 4. Quadriceps stretch in lying 5. Knee straightening with chair
Strengthening	1. Toe walking 2. Heel walking 3. Wall double squat 4. Wall squat with heel raise
Proprioception, balance and co-ordination	1. Single leg standing on balance cushion 2. Wobble board balancing 3. 5 point star on balance cushion 4. Trampoline jogging 5. Single leg squats6. Lunges
General mobility and cardiovascular	1. Static bike increased resistance 2. Light treadmill walking/ jogging 3. Rowing machine 4. Swimming

Phase 4

Goals: 1. Full range of movement, strength, balance and proprioception 2. Prevention of re-injury 3. Pain free return to sport	Exercises
Range of movement and stretching program	1. Standing calf stretch 2. Standing soleus stretch 3. Hamstring stretch in lying 4. Quadriceps stretch in lying 5. Knee straightening with chair
Strengthening	1. Single leg heel raises 2. Ski jumps 3. Leap frog
Proprioception, balance and co-ordination	1. Trampoline single leg standing/ hopping 2. Trampoline single leg squats 3. Balance cushion lunges 4. Single leg standing ball catching
General mobility and cardiovascular	1. Walking or running

Phase 5

Goals: 1. Single leg hop 95% compared with non-operated leg 95% muscle power and endurance is obtained compared with opposite limb. 2. No pain or swelling 3. Return to sport	Exercises
Range of movement and stretching program	1. Standing calf stretch 2. Standing soleus stretch 3. Hamstring stretch in lying 4. Quadriceps stretch in lying 5. Knee straightening with chair
Strengthening	1. Box Jumps 2. Bounding 3. Hurdles 4. Depth jumps 5. Seated hamstring curl machine 6. Quads strengthening
Proprioception, balance and co-ordination	1. Lateral plyometric jumps 2. Speed ladder 3. Plyometric jump box drills 4. Tuck jumps 5. Shuttle runs
General mobility and cardiovascular	1. Return to normal training with team or coach. 2. Assess reaction and response. 3. Begin an easy low grade match against easy opposition. 4. Assess reaction and response. 5. Return to full competition.

Rehabilitation of Ankle and Foot Injuries in Athletes. (29 January, 2010). Retrieved 23 March, 2018, from NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2786815/#!po=19.3750