Rehabilitation is, by definition, the restoration of optimal formand function for an athlete. In this edition in theEncyclopedia series, the editor and contributors advocatethat rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible after theinjurty occurs, alongside therapeutic measures such asanti-inflammatories and other pain killing agents. This might alsobegin before, or immediately after, surgery.The rehabilitative process is therefore managed by amulti-disciplinary team, including physicians, physiotherapists,psychologists, nutritionists, and athletic trainers, amongstothers.This book considers the three phases of rehabilitation: painrelief, protection of the affected area and limitation of tissuedamage; limitation of impairment and recovery of flexibility,strength, endurance, balance and co-ordination; and finally thestart of conditioning to return to training and competition.

1 Epidemiology of sports injuries: implications forrehabilitation;.2 Pathophysiology of injury;.3 Tissue healing and repair: muscle;.4 Tissue healing and repair: tendons and ligaments;.5 Tissue healing and repair: bone and cartilage;.6 Immobilization;.7 Physiological and functional implications of injury;.8 Use of physical modalities and pain management;.9 Flexibility and joint range of motion;.10 Strength and endurance;.11 Proprioception and co-ordination;.12 Function Rehabilitation and return to training andcompetition;.13 Orthoses in the prevention and rehabilitation ofinjuries;.14 The psychology of the injured athlete;