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Strictly Come Get Some Physiotherapy!
Kara Tointon wins Strictly Come Dancing despite injury
As discussed in The Sun and Metro newspapers this morning, Kara Tointon danced herself to the BBC Strictly Come Dancing crown on Saturday despite a torn ligament in her elbow. She apparently injured her elbow during rehearsals but was so determined to finish the competition she just numbed the pain with strong painkillers. Continuing to compete would not be the sensible advice following such an injury, so it was understandable that the effects of the medication did not last long. At 5am she was in severe pain again and taken to A&E. An x-ray excluded any fractures but she was diagnosed with a tear to a ligament in her elbow.
Depending on the severity of the injury, ligaments take around 4-6 weeks to heal. At the initial stages it is important to allow the tissues to heal and to protect the ligament. Rest is vital and possibly even a brace or taping is advisable to prevent any further injury. Ice can also be very beneficial in the early stages to help with the acute pain and swelling.
Once scar tissue starts to form over the next few weeks it is important to regain normal range of movement. This is usually within normal planes of movement initially, to gently stress the scar tissue and to avoid the elbow becoming stiff. Once normal movement is regained, a strengthening programme is usually advised for full recovery and to prevent further injuries.
A physiotherapist is best advised to guide Kara through this recovery process and to make sure she continues her dancing dream with Artem Chigvintsev, her Russian partner. If managed well in the beginning she should make a good recovery. So, let's hope we see her performing her waltz and Cha-cha-cha again soon on the Strictly Come Dancing tour.
Gemma Newell, Lead Physiotherapist, Chancery Lane
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