M Klopper

Sports injuries don't announce themselves predictably, and Pretoria's mix of gym enthusiasts, runners using the Groenkloof trails, and weekend recreational players means physiotherapists here juggle everything from acute ankle sprains to overuse syndromes. The work involves not just treating what's damaged but understanding the movement patterns that got someone injured in the first place. Load shedding adds its own complication—cold therapy equipment depends on continuous power, and some clinics have had to adjust their schedule around peak demand hours. Proper assessment requires time and equipment, and the high altitude around Pretoria can affect how soft tissue responds to loading and recovery.