Return-to-play programs

Return-to-play programs support athletes and active individuals recovering from: 

• Muscle, tendon or ligament injuries such as strains, sprains or tears
• Overuse conditions like tendinopathy, shin splints or stress fractures
• Post-surgical recovery of the knee, shoulder, elbow, hip or ankle
• Concussion or head injuries requiring a gradual return to activity
• Performance limitations following extended rest or immobilization 

Even minor injuries can worsen if activity resumes too soon. Our specialists help you return gradually and confidently, so your body is ready for the demands of your sport.

Return-to-play planning works alongside both surgical and nonsurgical treatment, depending on your needs. 

• Nonsurgical rehabilitation: Physical therapy, bracing and activity modification support healing for strains, sprains and overuse injuries
• Post-surgical rehabilitation: Your program is coordinated with your surgeon to align rehabilitation with your healing timeline after knee, shoulder, elbow, hip or ankle surgery
• Concussion management: A stepwise, medically supervised progression helps athletes recovering from head injuries return to activity safely
• Sport-specific reconditioning: Functional training tailored to your sport, such as running mechanics, jumping and cutting drills or throwing motions, prepares your body for what's ahead 

Your sports medicine specialist will recommend the approach that best supports your injury and goals.

Most return-to-play programs follow a structured, evidence-based process with four phases: 

• Comprehensive evaluation: Assessment of your medical history, injury status, strength and flexibility, including functional testing, imaging when needed and sport-specific movement analysis
• Progressive rehabilitation (weeks 1 to 6): Pain control, restoring range of motion, reducing inflammation and rebuilding early strength
• Reconditioning phase (weeks 6 to 12): Strength building, aerobic conditioning and form refinement
• Performance phase (beyond 12 weeks): Sport-specific training, functional testing and objective benchmarks to confirm you're ready to return 

Every injury heals differently. Your Novant Health team monitors your progress and adjusts your plan along the way. Even after returning to play, maintaining conditioning, flexibility and proper mechanics supports long-term health. 

Returning to activity before your body is ready increases the risk of reinjury and setbacks. Feeling pain-free isn't always the same as being ready to perform, which is why a guided, structured progression matters. 

Your sports medicine team will walk you through what to expect at each phase, answer your questions and adjust your plan so you can move forward with confidence.