Which specialist performs a return-to-sport programme?

The physiotherapist builds a staged plan around your injury, operation, sport, position, and current function. Sessions may address range of motion, strength, balance, landing, running, change of direction, throwing, or sport-specific skills. Progress is based on symptoms and observed performance rather than a calendar date alone. A sports-medicine clinician can review healing, medication, recurring symptoms, or concerns that need medical investigation.

Share the injury history, operation details, training demands, and goals with the rehabilitation team. Wear suitable clothing and bring any brace or training guidance already provided. Follow the staged loading plan and report swelling, instability, sharp pain, or loss of function after exercise. Ask how home exercises, gym work, and team training fit together, and request written criteria for progressing to contact or competition.

Stop a session and contact your clinician for a new deformity, rapidly increasing swelling, inability to use the limb, locking, repeated giving way, new numbness, or marked weakness. Fever, wound drainage, or worsening pain after surgery also deserves prompt medical review.

Ask who is responsible for medical clearance, which tests show readiness for your sport, what workload is appropriate this week, how pain or swelling changes the plan, and when contact drills or competition can be considered.