What is a return-to-sport programme done with?

Rehabilitation usually progresses from restoring comfortable movement and basic strength to balance work, jumping, changes of direction and sport-specific tasks. The sequence is adjusted to the injury, operation, sport and position you play. A physiotherapist observes technique, control, confidence and how the body responds during and after exercise.

An isokinetic dynamometer can measure force during controlled joint movement. This gives the team information about strength and the balance between muscle groups, which can guide the next stage of training. It is one part of an assessment, alongside symptoms, movement quality and practical drills.

Complete the prescribed home exercises and record any swelling, pain or loss of confidence after training. Increase one demand at a time, such as speed, load or direction changes. Use the agreed warm-up and protective equipment, and tell the physiotherapist when a drill feels unstable or produces sharp pain. Returning to team practice and competition may be separate steps rather than a single decision.

Pause the session and contact your clinician if pain becomes sharp, swelling increases, the joint gives way or you lose movement after exercise. Seek urgent care after a new major injury with deformity, inability to bear weight, numbness or rapidly increasing swelling.

Ask which milestones matter for your sport, when strength testing is appropriate, how practice should be reintroduced and which symptoms mean you should step back a stage.