Post-Traumatic Rehabilitation
In sports medicine, post-traumatic rehabilitation encompasses all interventions following an acute sports injury, from the first few hours after the injury through to a full return to sport. It is not a single treatment, but a dynamic, multi-level process that evolves according to each patient’s healing progress.
The aim of post-traumatic rehabilitation is not merely to restore function, but to enable the athlete to return to their previous level of performance while reducing the risk of recurrence. It applies to all types of injuries, including muscle strains, ligament tears, joint injuries, fractures and complex injuries involving multiple tissues.
The quality of rehabilitation depends on several factors, including the severity of the initial injury, the athlete’s age and physical condition, and the extent to which the treatment protocol is tailored to their individual needs.
Characteristics of Post-Traumatic Rehabilitation
Post-traumatic rehabilitation consists of three interconnected phases that must be managed in a coordinated manner.
The first phase, acute inflammation, focuses on controlling pain and swelling and limiting the effects of the initial injury.
The second phase, regeneration and repair, focuses on the formation of new tissue, restoration of mobility and the gradual reintroduction of loading.
The third phase, remodelling and return to sport, involves the maturation of newly formed tissue, restoration of muscular strength and neuromuscular retraining.
A key consideration is that each phase depends on the quality of the one preceding it. When the inflammatory phase persists or the regenerative phase remains incomplete, the outcome may be suboptimal, even if the athlete has already returned to exercise.
Scientific Basis
The incorporation of hyperbaric oxygen therapy into post-traumatic rehabilitation has been studied in some of the most demanding clinical settings, including elite athletes under pressure to return to competition within a limited timeframe.
Studies involving football players, runners and contact-sport athletes have reported a significant reduction in recovery time—by 20% to 40% in some studies—without an increased rate of recurrence or new injuries.
Mechanistic evidence suggests that hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerates progression between the different stages of healing, supporting a more coordinated and effective biological response to injury.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Post-Traumatic Rehabilitation
In post-traumatic rehabilitation, hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be incorporated as an adjunctive treatment throughout all three stages of recovery, with a different therapeutic objective during each phase.
During the acute phase, the objectives are to reduce swelling, prevent secondary ischaemia and limit excessive inflammation.
During the regenerative phase, hyperbaric oxygen therapy supports the activation of regenerative cells, including satellite cells, fibroblasts and chondrocytes. It also promotes the synthesis of functional collagen and stimulates neovascularisation.
During the remodelling phase, it supports tissue maturation, reduces fibrotic scar formation and may improve elasticity and mechanical strength.
The number and frequency of sessions are adjusted according to the stage of rehabilitation and the type of injury. Treatment is typically more intensive during the first two phases, with a total course of 20 to 35 sessions.
The treatment plan is always developed in close collaboration with the sports medicine physician, physiotherapist and, where necessary, the surgeon.