Return to Sport Post-Injury
Progressive, multidimensional return-to-sport protocol guiding the injured athlete from rehabilitation completion to safe competition return, integrating objective validation criteria.
Presentation
Return to Sport (RTS) post-injury is a critical phase requiring structured protocol and objective criteria. 25-30% of sports injuries are recurrences, with re-injury risk 2-6 times higher in the 12 months following return. The RTS continuum (Ardern et al., 2016 consensus) distinguishes: Return to Participation, Return to Sport and Return to Performance.
Return-to-Sport Phases
- Phase 1: General reconditioning
- Phase 2: Specific strengthening
- Phase 3: Sport-specific retraining
- Phase 4: Progressive return to play
- Phase 5: Return to performance
Objective Criteria
- Pain-free at rest and specific effort
- Range of motion ≥ 90% of uninjured side
- Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) ≥ 90%
- Functional hop tests with LSI ≥ 90%
- Psychological readiness (ACL-RSI > 56%)
Medical Disclaimer
The information presented in this article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment prescription. If in doubt, always consult your physician or a qualified healthcare professional. The techniques described do not replace conventional medical treatment.