Common Diving Injuries In Physiotherapy
Diving is a sport where athletes perform acrobatic maneuvers while diving into a pool from a springboard or platform. It requires a combination of strength, flexibility, coordination, and precise timing. Athletes execute dives that are judged based on their degree of difficulty, execution, and entry into the water.
Common Injuries in Diving:
Shoulder Injuries:
Rotator Cuff Tears: Overuse and repetitive motions can lead to tears in the rotator cuff muscles or tendons.
Shoulder Impingement: Compression of tendons and bursa in the shoulder due to overhead movements.
Back Injuries:
Lower Back Strain: Strain or sprain of the muscles or ligaments in the lower back, often due to the impact of entry into the water.
Vertebral Fractures: Occur rarely but can result from high-impact landings or incorrect diving techniques.
Wrist and Hand Injuries:
Sprains: Ligament injuries due to the impact of hitting the water.
Fractures: Especially of the wrist from improper hand positioning or landing.
Head and Neck Injuries:
Concussions: Can result from hitting the water at a high speed or incorrect diving positions.
Cervical Spine Injuries: Serious injuries to the neck, though less common, can occur from diving accidents.
Knee Injuries:
Patellar Tendonitis: Inflammation of the patellar tendon due to repetitive jumping and landing.
Ligament Sprains: Particularly the ACL or PCL from improper landings or sudden changes in direction.
Physiotherapy Management of Common Diving Injuries:
Rehabilitation Exercises:
Shoulder: Strengthening of rotator cuff muscles and scapular stabilizers.
Back: Core stabilization exercises and flexibility training.
Wrist/Hand: Grip strengthening and range of motion exercises.
Knee: Strengthening quadriceps and hamstring muscles to support knee stability.
Manual Therapy:
Techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, or manipulation to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.
Modalities:
Heat therapy to relax muscles and increase blood flow.
Ice therapy for pain relief and reduction of inflammation.
Ultrasound for deep tissue heating and enhancement of healing processes.
Technique Correction:
Analysis of diving technique to identify biomechanical issues contributing to injury.
Corrective exercises and drills to improve diving form and reduce stress on vulnerable body parts.
Return to Sport Protocol:
Gradual reintroduction to diving activities to ensure proper healing and prevent re-injury.
Monitoring of progress and adjustment of rehabilitation program as needed.
Summary of Key Points:
Diving is a high-risk sport requiring rigorous training and skill development. Athletes often face injuries such as shoulder tears, back strains, and wrist fractures due to the impact of diving maneuvers. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in rehabilitation, focusing on strengthening, manual therapy, technique correction, and a systematic approach to return athletes safely to diving activities.
