How Physiotherapy Can Help Knee Injuries from Netball & Football

Knee injuries are among the most common sports injuries seen in netball and football players in Adelaide. Whether it's a sudden twist on court or a hard landing on the field, knee injuries can significantly impact athletic performance and long-term joint health.

At Body Fit Physiotherapy North Adelaide, we specialise in managing ACL tears, patellofemoral pain, meniscus injuries, and ligament sprains using the latest evidence-based rehabilitation protocols.

🏐⚽ Common Knee Injuries in Netball and Football

Netball and football demand fast changes of direction, jumping, landing, and sudden stops. These actions place high loads on the knee joint. Common injuries include:

🔹 Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries

• Often non-contact in netball

• More common in female athletes

• May involve a loud "pop", swelling, and instability

  
  

🔹 Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

• Overuse condition linked to poor hip-knee alignment

• Causes anterior knee pain, especially during squats or stairs

🔹 Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) & Meniscus Tears

• Common in football from twisting or direct tackles

• Lead to localised pain, swelling, and restricted motion

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🔹 Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendinopathy)

• Seen in athletes with repetitive jumping/landing

• Pain located at the base of the kneecap

  
  

🏃‍♀️ How Physiotherapy Helps You Recover & Return to Sport

1. Accurate Assessment & Diagnosis

Our physiotherapists perform a detailed biomechanical assessment including:

• Movement screening

• Joint stability tests

• Muscle strength and control

• Gait and landing analysis

2. Individualised Treatment Plans

Every injury is different. We tailor programs based on:

• Injury type and severity

• Sport-specific demands

• Return-to-play timeline

3. Hands-On Manual Therapy

To manage pain and restore movement early on, we may use:

• Joint mobilisation

• Soft tissue release

• Dry needling

• Swelling and scar tissue management

4. Strength & Neuromuscular Retraining

Evidence shows that hip and trunk control are crucial in reducing reinjury risk in ACL and PFPS rehab (Hewett et al., 2006). Your rehab will include:

• Quadriceps and hamstring strengthening

• Gluteal activation

• Plyometrics and change of direction drills

5. Return-to-Sport Testing

We use objective strength and movement testing to assess readiness for safe return to play, reducing reinjury risk.

💪 Why Choose Body Fit Physiotherapy?

At Body Fit Physiotherapy, you’ll get:

• ✔️ Sports physios experienced with local netball & footy clubs

• ✔️ Onsite rehab gym for supervised training

• ✔️ Longer consultations for 1:1 care

• ✔️ Individualised return-to-sport timelines

• ✔️ Injury prevention plans for long-term resilience

“Our goal isn’t just to get you back on the field—it’s to keep you there safely and performing at your best.”

🏆 Prevention Is Key: Ask About Our Prehab Programs

Did you know that structured pre-season training can reduce ACL injury risk by up to 50%? (Emery et al., 2015)Ask us about:

• Jump-landing retraining

• Strength screening assessments

• ACL injury prevention programs

📞 Book Your Knee Injury Assessment Today

If you’re struggling with a knee injury from sport—or want to prevent one—our physiotherapists are here to help you move confidently again.

📍 Visit Body Fit Physiotherapy, North Adelaide💻 Book Online or call us today

📚 References:

• Hewett TE, Ford KR, Myer GD. Biomechanical measures of neuromuscular control and valgus loading predict ACL injury risk. Am J Sports Med. 2006;34(3):490-499.

• Emery CA, Roy TO, Whittaker JL, et al. Neuromuscular training injury prevention strategies in youth sport. Br J Sports Med. 2015;49(13):865-870.

• van Melick N, et al. Evidence-based clinical practice update: practice guidelines for ACL rehabilitation. Br J Sports Med. 2016;50(24):1506–1515.