What is the primary focus of rehabilitation after a musculoskeletal injury?

The primary focus of rehabilitation after a musculoskeletal injury is restoring function and strength. This goal is essential because the ultimate aim of rehabilitation is to help the patient regain their ability to perform daily activities, return to their previous level of physical activity, and improve their quality of life.

Rehabilitation programs typically include exercises tailored to enhance strength, flexibility, coordination, and overall functionality of the injured area. This process often involves a combination of physical therapy techniques such as stretching, strengthening exercises, and functional training to help the patient regain full use of the affected limb or joint.

While reducing swelling, avoiding pain, and sometimes strengthening the bones are important components of the recovery process, they are generally part of the larger goal of restoring overall function. Without restoring functional movement and strength, a patient may struggle to return to normal activities, even if other aspects of recovery are managed well.