Phases of Rehab - Study Guide

Phase one

Phase one rehab goals - initial injury phase

• Limit further injury

• Control pain and swelling

Phase one treatment

• RICE

• Pain and swelling control - e-stim

• Pulsed Ultrasound

• GameReady (intermittent compression)

• Pain reducing medication such as acetaminophen

Phase two

Phase two rehab goals - sub-acute phase

• Reduce pain and swelling

• Various therapeutic modalities to aid in the healing process

• Joint ROM and flexibility

• Reduce adhesions and stiffness of injured site

• Regain normal movement - such as gait if a lower-body injury

• Maintain fitness

Phase two treatment

• RICE

• Massage

• Contrast bath

• E-stim for pain control, swelling, and neuromuscular re-education

• Ultrasound, Laser

• NSAID's

Phase three

Phase three rehab goals - restoration phase

• Restore full ROM

• Increase strength, endurance, and flexibility

• Proprioception and kinesthetic awareness

• Increase fitness

Phase three treatment

• Continuous Ultrasound

• Massage

• Ice

• E-stim

Phase four

Phase four rehab goals

• Full strength, endurance, and proprioception

• Restore sport-specific motor patterns

• Increase confidence and mental state of an athlete returning to sport

• Appropriate stress to tissues for collagen conversion and scar maturation

Phase four treatment

• Ice and e-stim, as needed

Phase five

Phase five rehab goals - maintenance phase

• Maintain everything that was done during rehab

• Restore pre-injury status

• Prevent further/re-injury

Phase five treatment

• As needed