The inclusion of vibration therapy in rehabilitating a gastrocnemius tear: a case study in master athlete

[Purpose] The aim of this case study was to determine if VT could be included into a rehabilitation programme by monitoring the progress of muscle pain, range of motion and muscle strength. [Participant and Methods] An international male master hockey player sustained a medial gastrocnemius 5 cm tear prior to the World Cup. VT was applied early in the rehabilitation programme where 9 sessions of VT were performed during the first 16 days. Other conventional rehabilitative exercises were included. [Results] Twenty-eight days post-injury the athlete returned to full playing. Calf pain had subsided by day 8 with a change of 12° in ankle dorsi flexion range of motion. Grade 5 calf strength was attained by day 16, which was equivalent to the unaffected limb’s strength. There were no residual side effects of including VT into the rehabilitation programme and it did not compromise the athlete’s recovery. [Conclusion] To ensure optimal loading of VT, 9 sessions were implemented and progressively increased; consequently, there was no detrimental effect on the rehabilitative process. The athlete reported no side effects of using VT and its ease and time efficient application has a role to complementing soft tissue injury rehabilitation.