Sports physiotherapy in Paris 3rd: rehabilitation after a sports injury

Sports physiotherapy is rehabilitation after an injury linked to physical activity. It is for people who play sport for leisure or on a regular basis.

It may cover, for example:

• sprains, particularly of the ankle and knee
• muscle injuries, such as a strain or a tear
• tendon pain (tendinopathy)
• recovery after surgery, in consultation with the surgeon

Treatment generally works on mobility, strength, endurance and movement control. It often includes injury prevention exercises, with the return to activity in mind.

The first session starts with a physiotherapy assessment. It usually covers how the injury happened, the pain, the sport you play and the movements that cause difficulty. The goals of rehabilitation are then agreed with you.

Sessions combine strengthening, endurance and mobility work. They take place in the treatment room and in a large exercise area equipped with wall bars, suspension slings, an exercise bike, a rowing machine and exercise balls.

The return to activity usually happens in stages: exercises gradually move closer to the movements your sport involves, depending on how the injured area responds. Romain Rajkumar gives explanations, advice and exercises to do at the practice and at home.

It is worth seeing a doctor when pain gets in the way of your sport, comes back at every training session or persists after a few days' rest. The doctor makes the diagnosis and prescribes physiotherapy where appropriate, for example after a sprain, a muscle injury or surgery.

Some signs call for prompt medical advice, or emergency services depending on severity:

• severe pain after a fall or impact, with inability to bear weight
• a visible deformity or major swelling
• a popping sensation followed by the knee giving way
• loss of strength, pins and needles or numbness
• fever, or an area that is hot and red

For chest pain or feeling faint during exercise, call 15 or 112.

To be reimbursed by the Assurance Maladie (French national health insurance), physiotherapy sessions must be prescribed by a doctor. Bring the prescription to your first session, with your Carte Vitale and any imaging or surgical reports you have. Your mutuelle (top-up insurance) may add to the reimbursement.

The practice is conventionné (contracted with French national health insurance) and bills the Sécurité sociale directly (tiers payant). A session costs €38 to €42, plus €20 to €23 for the assessment at the first session.

Cabinet Beaubourg is at 50 rue Rambuteau, 75003 Paris, on the 5th floor with a lift. Romain Rajkumar consults in French and English. Appointments are booked on Doctolib only. Phone: 01 48 04 32 84.