The following guidelines can help you determine if it's safe for you to start playing your sport again.
- You are pain free
- You have full range of motion (compare the injured part with the uninjured opposite side)
- You have full or close to full (90 percent) strength (again, compare with the uninjured side)
- You have no swelling
- For lower body injuries: you can perform full weight bearing on injured hips, knees, and ankles without limping
- For upper body injuries: you can perform throwing movements with proper form and no pain
These being just guidlines, following up with your physician's advice regarding return to play is a must.