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Common injuries physical therapists treat
From rotator cuff tears to sprains and strains, and how rehab helps
The common injuries physical therapists treat most are shoulder problems such as rotator cuff tears and tendinitis, knee injuries including ligament sprains, meniscus tears and kneecap pain, ankle sprains, lower back and neck strains, muscle strains such as a pulled hamstring, tendon overuse injuries like tennis elbow and runner’s knee, and recovery after fractures and surgery. For most of them, rehab follows the same path: calm pain and swelling, restore motion, rebuild strength and balance, then return gradually to work and sport.
Physical therapists see a wide range of problems, but a handful of common injuries fill most of their schedules. In the first video, Nick Ursini, DPT talks about the injuries he sees most, from rotator cuff tears to injuries that keep people from running. This guide walks through those common injuries, what rehab usually involves for each, and where to read more. If you have never been to physical therapy, start with what to expect at physical therapy.
Common injuries by body area
Shoulder
Rotator cuff tears and tendinitis, shoulder impingement, frozen shoulder and dislocations. Rehab restores motion first, then strengthens the rotator cuff and shoulder blade muscles. See our rotator cuff exercises and shoulder pain page.
Knee
Ligament sprains, meniscus tears, pain around the kneecap and recovery after knee surgery. Strength in the thigh and hip and good control of landing and squatting are the focus. Our knee pain causes guide explains the differences.
Ankle and foot
Ankle sprains, Achilles tendon pain and plantar fasciitis (see plantar fasciitis treatment). Balance training, like the wobble board work in the second video, matters as much as strength, because a sprained ankle that is not retrained often sprains again. See ankle sprain recovery.
Back and neck
Muscle strains, disc-related pain, sciatica and stiffness from desk work. Most improve with movement, strength work and hands-on care. Our lower back pain exercises show where rehab starts.
Muscle strains and tendon overuse
Pulled hamstrings, groin and calf strains, tennis elbow and runner’s knee. These respond to gradual loading rather than rest alone; see hamstring strain recovery.
What rehab for common injuries involves
- Protect and calm: ease pain and swelling while keeping the rest of the body moving
- Restore motion: gentle range-of-motion work and hands-on care
- Rebuild strength: progressive exercise for the injured area and the muscles around it, as in the third video after a lifting injury
- Retrain balance and control: landing, cutting, lifting and other tasks your sport or job needs
- Return gradually: a step-by-step plan back to full activity, with a home program to keep the gains
Our injury recovery timeline explains how long muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones take to heal.
When to see a doctor before physical therapy
Get checked first for a suspected fracture, a joint that looks deformed, an injury you cannot put weight on, rapid swelling, numbness or weakness, or a shoulder or knee that keeps giving way. Looking for a sports injury doctor near me? Our sports medicine physicians examine the injury, order imaging when needed and coordinate rehab. For athletes, our guide to sports injury recovery covers the return to play.
More videos on injury rehab
More clips from our YouTube channel @precisioncaremedical showing rehab after sports and gym injuries.
Related care at Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance
A physical therapist near you
Looking for a physical therapist near me after an injury? For physical therapy on Staten Island, Nick Ursini, DPT from the first video and Victoria Lynn Kain, DPT see patients at our Staten Island physical therapy office on Richmond Rd, a short drive from Dongan Hills, Todt Hill and Eltingville, where Jake Stephen, DO provides sports medicine on Staten Island. For physical therapy in Brooklyn, physical therapists Zoya Reznik, DPT, OCS and Maggie (Yi) Zhang, DPT, with physical therapist assistants Dennis Furman, PTA and Leila Nahmoud, PTA work at our Brooklyn physical therapy office on Shell Rd, close to Coney Island, Manhattan Beach and Brighton Beach, where Ashley Marcus, MD sees patients for sports medicine in Brooklyn; occupational therapy for hand and wrist injuries is offered at the Brooklyn office only.
In Manhattan, Yuri Gordin, MD sees patients at the Precision Care Spine & Pain Center in Midtown Manhattan, an easy trip from Harlem, the Upper East Side and Washington Heights, for an exam and treatment plan; physical therapy is not offered at the Manhattan office. Request an appointment or call the office closest to you.
Questions patients ask
What are the most common injuries treated in physical therapy?
Rotator cuff and other shoulder injuries, knee sprains and meniscus tears, ankle sprains, back and neck strains, muscle strains such as a pulled hamstring, tendon overuse injuries, and recovery after fractures and surgery.
Do I need to see a doctor before physical therapy?
Not always, but get checked first for a suspected fracture, a deformed joint, an injury you cannot put weight on, rapid swelling, numbness or weakness, or a joint that keeps giving way. Check what your insurance requires.
How long does rehab for a common injury take?
It depends on the tissue and the severity. A mild sprain or strain may take a few weeks, while a tendon or ligament injury or rehab after surgery can take several months.
Is rest or exercise better for an injury?
A short period of protection helps, but long rest slows recovery. Most injuries heal better with gradual, guided movement and strength work.
Can physical therapy help sports injuries?
Yes. Physical therapy rebuilds strength, balance and control and guides a step-by-step return to sport, which lowers the risk of the injury coming back.
Where can I find a physical therapist near me?
Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance offers physical therapy at two offices:
- Brooklyn2781 Shell Rd, Suite 101, Brooklyn, NY 11223(718) 648-1234 · Get directions
- Staten Island1630 Richmond Rd, Suite 101, Staten Island, NY 10304(718) 339-7100 · Get directions
Occupational therapy is offered in Brooklyn only. Physical therapy is not offered at the Midtown Manhattan office.
Educational only, not medical advice. These videos and this article explain common problems and treatments in general terms. They are not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. Results vary from person to person. See a qualified clinician about your own symptoms, and call 911 or go to an emergency room for an emergency.
More videos and articles on the Precision Care Medical & Sports Performance blog