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OrthoRehab - Edina Physical Therapists

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School is back in session and fall is in the air, and the new season also brings new challenges for our health and our bodies. We always tend to see a small increase in certain types of injuries in the fall, but if you know how to work through these injuries, we’re confident you’ll make a full recovery. In today’s blog, we spotlight some of the more common injuries we see during autumn, and we explain how physical therapy can help with each of these injuries.

Physical-Therapy-Fall-Injuries

Common Fall Injuries That Would Benefit From PT

Here’s a look at four injuries that become more common in our clinic as the Minnesota leaves begin to change colors.

  1. Concussions – High school football season is back underway, and that means we can expect to see an increase in head injuries and concussions. Whether it is from practices or games, head injuries can lead to balance issues, dizziness, coordination problems and other complications like headaches and memory loss. We also tend to see an increase in adult concussions as the days get shorter and darkness makes visibility difficult for runners, cyclists and drivers. Our physical therapists can help calm your symptoms and show you ways to proactively help your head heal from the concussive trauma. Rest is great for the first few days, but research has shown that PT and certain exercises are actually better for your brain and lead to quicker recovery than rest alone.
  2. ACL Tears – Again, this one has to do with a large group of high school athletes getting back into their sporting activities after taking some time off during the summer. Many young athletes jump right into practices and games without really gearing up their bodies for the intense activity, and that can lead to early season ACL tears. We work with a number of athletes who want to get back on the field following an ACL injury, and many of them come back stronger than they were prior to the injury after completing their recovery with OrthoRehab Specialists.
  3. Shin Splints – Shin splints are also a common occurrence during the fall as the weather allows for longer runs outdoors. If you’re running along one of Minnesota’s many scenic trails, odds are the ground is a little uneven, and that can overstress your lower legs and lead to shin splints. These painful microtears in the bone and muscle tissue can be slow to heal if you lead an active lifestyle, but we can work with our patients to help them re-strengthen and recover. We can also help you develop a workout routine that allows you to stay active without overstressing these injured structures.
  4. Plantar Fasciitis – Plantar fasciitis patients also tend to spike in the summer and fall months because unsupportive shoes can lead to inflammation in the plantar fascia. Sandals are often used during the summer, and it can take a while for us to feel the cumulative effects of hundreds of thousands of steps in sandals, and fall is also a time when adults and high schoolers tend to choose fashion over function when it comes to their shoes. This means they may opt for a less supportive shoe for one reason or another, and that can lead to arch issues and plantar fasciitis. This condition tends to respond well to proactive physical therapy, but if you just try to push through the discomfort, it often gets worse or never fully heals. Let us help you get your plantar fascia inflammation under control.

If you need physical therapy for one of the above injuries or another type of condition, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the experienced staff at OrthoRehab Specialists today.

Dr. Andy Masis, PT
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