Netball is played by 20-million people worldwide and has one of the highest injury rates for ankles and knees across all sports. A thorough understanding of the type of injury is essential for rehabilitation. Commonly, ligament and tendon sprains are the primary injury suffered by players, and to a lesser extent muscle strains. Fractures, dislocations and tendon ruptures are even less prevalent.
- Anterior Talofibular Ligament (Ankle)
- Syndesmosis (High ankle)
- Achilles (ankle)
- Patella tendon (knee)
- ACL (knee)
- MCL (knee)
These structures have different healing timelines, rehab exercises and return to play criteria that make a correct diagnosis all the more important. For example, an Anterior Talofibular Ligament sprain may require 2-6 weeks rehab with strapping tape and/or a brace, whereas a Syndesmosis injury may require 4 weeks to 6 months rehab with a moon-boot.
An incorrect diagnosis leads to a delayed return to sport which keeps players off the court for longer.
A good physiotherapist will aim to rebuild strength in the muscles that put you back on the court quicker. Exercises should aim to strengthen stabilisers as our passive stabilisers (ligaments) are now weakened or torn. Once stabiliser muscles are strong, a return to big movements like squatting, lunging or bridging could be introduced. And once confidence is restored, a return to run criteria should be followed which begins with hopping, jogging, running and finally sprinting.
– Jared Evans Senior Physiotherapist
