Prevention is better than cure. How do we predict risk of future injury?

The big movement in health in recent times has been about prevention of injuries.  This is particularly a big issue in sports where an injury to a star player can cost the club a lot of money.  So how can we prevent injuries from happening?

Well some injuries you probably can't (unless you lock yourself away in a room, although you will likely be at risk of developing other issues) however a large number of conditions that we see on a regular basis are the result of a combination of things that can be seen in a person's history, lifestyle and physical examination.

So what are some of the things to look for?

The number one biggest factor that increases the likelihood of an injury is a previous injury.  Why is that?  Well even if a structure, say a ligament in the ankle, has fully healed, the body can still have changes that carry on.  These changes in the body likely wont be painful.  They are adaptations and changes that allow an individual to continue to function.  Unfortunately these changes can lead to future injury.

There are a number of tools which we use in combination with a history One of the tools we use in the clinic to identify underlying musculoskeletal issues.  One of the most helpful ones being the SFMA.  These tests help us to find out if there are any issues with how the body is or isnt able to move and if there are changes to how the body activates its muscles.

Lack of normal movement or a change in the normal movement or muscle firing pattern give us a good indication of problems that research has shown to have a strong link to future injuries.

So if you have had a previous injury and you feel a sense that something isnt quite right then it may be worth getting that checked from a qualified professional to make sure you wont be dealing with future problems.