Gabriela Potorac's Sports Injuries

Type of Sport: Gymnastics

Gabriela Potorac's Sports Injuries Table

Type	Area	Date	Consequences	Content	How It Happened	Recovery Duration	Rehabilitation Details	Impact On Career	Psychological Impact	Previous Injuries	Return To Competition	Severity	Treatment	Medical Staff	Long Term Impact	Preventive Measures	Competition Missed	Initial Symptoms	Re Injury Risk	Support System	Rehabilitation Location
Ankle Injuries	left ankle	1987-05-11	Swelling and severe pain, unable to put weight on the foot.	Gabriela Potorac suffered a left ankle injury while performing a vault in a gymnastics competition. The awkward landing caused immediate pain and swelling.	During a gymnastics routine, she landed awkwardly after a vault.	6 weeks	Physical therapy including balance exercises, strengthening, and mobility work.	Missed several competitions, but made a full recovery.	Initially apprehensive about vaulting again, but regained confidence with time.	None	1987-07-01	Moderate	Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), followed by physical therapy.	Team physiotherapist and orthopedic specialist.	No significant long-term impact.	Improved landing techniques and ankle strengthening exercises.	1987 European Gymnastics Championships	Immediate pain, swelling, and inability to bear weight.	Low	Family, coach, and teammates.	Local sports clinic
Knee Injuries	right knee	1989-08-19	Swelling, pain, and instability in the knee.	During a floor exercise routine, Gabriela Potorac landed awkwardly after a tumbling pass, resulting in a right knee injury. The injury caused significant swelling and instability.	Landed awkwardly after a tumbling pass during floor exercise.	8 weeks	Rest, physical therapy focusing on knee stability and strength, and gradual return to activity.	Missed several key competitions, but eventually returned to full form.	Concern about re-injury and impact on performance.	Left ankle injury in 1987, right wrist injury in 1988	1989-10-20	Severe	Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), followed by an extensive physical therapy program.	Orthopedic surgeon and team physiotherapist.	Increased attention to knee stability and strength in training.	Strengthening exercises and knee support during high-impact activities.	1989 World Gymnastics Championships	Immediate pain, swelling, and feeling of instability.	High	Family, coach, and medical team.	Specialized sports rehabilitation center
Wrist Injuries	right wrist	1988-03-14	Pain and decreased range of motion in the wrist.	Gabriela Potorac injured her right wrist after a fall from the balance beam during practice. The incident caused significant pain and reduced mobility.	Fell during a balance beam routine.	4 weeks	Splinting, followed by physical therapy focusing on range of motion and strengthening.	Short-term impact, missed a few weeks of training.	Frustration due to interruption in training.	Left ankle injury in 1987	1988-04-15	Mild	Splinting, rest, and physical therapy.	Team physiotherapist and sports medicine doctor.	None	Enhanced wrist support and improved technique.	None	Pain, swelling, and limited wrist movement.	Moderate	Coach and team physiotherapist.	Team training facility

Gabriela Potorac's Sports Injuries Videos

Gabriela Szabo / Kofi Amoah Prah Track Meet Collision

30-second iMovie project I created.

Gabriela Potorac - Floor Exercise - 1988 McDonald's American Cup Finals

Score: 9.825 - Gabriela Potorac (Romania) - 1988 McDonald's American Cup Finals - March 6, 1988 - Fairfax, VA.

Olympic hopeful Skye Blakely injured at 2024 U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials

Video credits: Gymnastics Now, USAG. No copyright infringement intended. For instructional purposes only.