Troy Wilczek, DPT, helps patients recover from injuries at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center’s Center for Rehabilitation. Below, he discusses how to avoid sports injuries and how physical therapy can help patients heal.
Q. What are the benefits of pre-season strength training and conditioning?
A. There are numerous benefits to participating in a strength and conditioning program year-round, but especially pre-season. It helps increase strength, agility and endurance to improve athletic performance, and can also serve as injury prevention. Performing a focused program can help improve mobility and coordination, address muscle imbalance and increase joint stability.
Q. After a sports injury, what are some common mistakes I need to avoid?
A: The number one mistake that people make following a sports injury is attempting to return to sports activity too soon. By working with your doctor and a physical therapist (PT), we can help you prepare for your return safely.
Q. If my injury requires surgery, how long does rehabilitation typically take?
A. There are a lot of variables that factor into rehabilitation time. This can all depend on the type and severity of injury, muscular conditioning prior to surgery and type of surgery. Return to sports can occur in as few as three or four weeks, or as long as six to eight months or beyond in cases of severe injuries. Your doctor and PT can give you an individual prognosis.
Q. Do you have any additional advice to remaining healthy and free from injury?
A. The best advice I can give is to stay ACTIVE. Year-round physical activity is the best way to stay healthy and in good physical condition. This does not mean you have to train at maximum intensity year-round.
Find an activity or hobby of a lesser intensity than your usual sporting activities that keeps you active. One of my favorite things to tell patients is a play on Newton’s first law: “A body in motion, stays in motion.” This can apply to people of all ages, athletes or not. Get moving and stay moving.
To schedule an appointment, call 580-237-8278.
Physicians are on the medical staff of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
