Physiotherapeutic treatment of athletic injuries to the muscle--tendon complex of the leg

Abstract

An overview is presented of the most common soft-tissue injuries of the leg in athletes. A simple classification is made on the basis of cause, location of the injury and severity. These injuries can be classified into direct and indirect types. Direct injuries, which are usually the result of one episode of trauma, can be classified further into three grades of severity. Treatment is based on the severity of the injury and its location in the muscle--tendon complex. Indirect muscle--tendon injuries are the result of repetitive subacute microtrauma to the muscle--tendon complex or injury to the structures associated with muscle function (bursa, tendon sheath or fascia). Appropriate treatment regimens are suggested.