Therapy and Rehabilitation for Upper Extremity Injuries in Athletes

Multi-user upper limb rehabilitation training system integrating social interaction

COVID-19 causes persistent symptoms such as weakness and myasthenia in most patients. Due to the cross-infection of COVID-19, the traditional face-to-face rehabilitation services are risky for the elderly. To ensure that the elderly in urgent need of rehabilitation services receive training while minimizing the disturbance of the COVID-19 pandemic on their social activities. We have improved the existing virtual upper limb training system, and added a social factor to the system. Seniors with upper limb rehabilitation needs can use the system to compete or collaborate with others for training. In addition, a set of natural and scientific exclusive gestures have been designed under the direction of following the doctor's advice. The experiment is conducted jointly with the chief physicians of the geriatrics department in the authoritative class-A hospitals of Class III. Our experiment, which lasted for two months, showed that the virtual training system with social factors added had the best rehabilitation effect and enhanced the initiative of patients. The system has value for popularization during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Therapy Considerations for Getting Athletes to Return to Play

During the protective phase of treatment, therapy for hand and wrist injuries in athletes is similar to the plan of care provided to all patients. The nuances in the care provided to athletes become apparent during the transition to the postprotective phase of rehabilitation when the focus has shifted to return to play. Therapy following a sports injury should address the individual needs of the athletes in their everyday lives as well as the specificity of their training and sports-specific activities. The factors that influence return to play are discussed.