Guidelines for return to activity after injury

Complete and effective rehabilitation is dependent on many factors and may be identified and measured by eight objectives. Use of these objectives should help to prevent many of the common errors in rehabilitation. Of these eight objectives, the authors concentrate on development of specific sports-related biomechanical skill patterns, an objective that is frequently neglected. Analysis of the specific demands of each sport for each athlete is required to tailor rehabilitation protocols as well as to provide a standard to determine when the athlete can return. Progressive sports-specific activity will help to return the athlete safely to activity.