Prehab & Rehabilitation — all lessons
Foundations of MSK Rehabilitation
Principles of injury prevention and recoveryBiomechanics and movement analysisUnderstanding pain science and tissue healingRehab Exercise Strategies
Progressive loading techniquesProgram design for rehabilitationPhased rehab programming: acute to return-to-performancePrehab 121 Protocols (intermediate–late stage)
ActivationEarly strengtheningAdvanced strengtheningPlyometrics in rehabilitationReturn-to-sport exercisesPrevention, Surgery and Return to Sport
Injury prevention programmesThe preoperative phase (prehabilitation)Role of criteria-based progressionsReturn-to-sport testingIntegration with strength and conditioningCase Studies
Case studies and real-world client scenariosRole of criteria-based progressions
Why rehabilitation should progress on objective criteria — strength, hop tests, range, symptoms and psychological readiness — rather than time alone.
Learning objectives
- Explain the limits of time-based progression
- Select objective criteria for each stage
- Use limb symmetry and absolute strength measures
- Integrate psychological readiness
Before this lesson
Why this matters
Two athletes six months after the same surgery can be in very different states. Criteria reveal real readiness.
Common criteria
| Domain | Examples |
|---|---|
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling response to load |
| Range | Full, symmetrical ROM |
| Strength | Isokinetic/dynamometer or RM tests; LSI ≥ 90%; absolute norms |
| Function | Hop tests, single-leg squat quality |
| Sport-specific | COD, sprinting, conditioning |
| Psychological | Confidence/fear questionnaires |
In the Delaware-Oslo ACL cohort, passing return-to-sport criteria and delaying return to pivoting sport until about 9 months after surgery were associated with markedly lower knee re-injury risk [grindem2016]. The Bern consensus recommends shared, criteria-informed decisions [ardern2016].
Limb symmetry caveat
After injury, the uninjured limb may also have lost strength, so LSI can overestimate recovery. Compare with pre-injury data or normative values when possible.
Common mistakes and misconceptions
Case study
At 7 months post-ACL reconstruction, a player’s quadriceps LSI is 78%. Return is delayed and strength work intensified; at 9.5 months LSI is 92% and hop tests pass. He returns safely.
Further learning: video lessons
Video links are only marked “verified” after a human has watched them. Unverified entries open a YouTube search for that channel and topic rather than a guessed link.
Criteria-based rehab
physiotherapy educators (search, e.g. E3 Rehab, Physiotutors)
You will understand: progressing rehab on criteria
Why: Clinician-led practical content; verify the specific video.
ACL return-to-sport criteria
sports physio researchers (search)
You will understand: strength and hop criteria
Why: Research-informed.
Knowledge check
Knowledge check · 0/5
1. Grindem et al. (2016) found that after ACL reconstruction…
2. A limb symmetry index of 90% means…
3. A limitation of LSI is…
4. Psychological readiness can be assessed with…
5. Time since injury is useful because…
Short-answer & application questions
- Define criteria for each phase of hamstring rehab.
- Explain to an athlete why the calendar isn’t enough.
- Design a testing day for return-to-run decisions.
Key takeaways
- Time since injury informs biology, but criteria show readiness.
- Common criteria: pain/swelling, range, strength, hop tests, movement quality and confidence.
- In the Delaware-Oslo cohort, meeting criteria and delaying return reduced knee re-injury risk substantially.
- Limb symmetry can overestimate recovery if the uninjured side has also weakened.
Connected topics
Return-to-sport testing
assessmentMuscular strength, endurance and power assessments
sports technologyDynamometry
References
- Grindem H, Snyder-Mackler L, Moksnes H, Engebretsen L, Risberg MA (2016). Simple decision rules can reduce reinjury risk by 84% after ACL reconstruction: the Delaware-Oslo ACL cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(13):804–808. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096031 Cohort check pending
- Ardern CL, Glasgow P, Schneiders A, et al. (2016). 2016 Consensus statement on return to sport from the First World Congress in Sports Physical Therapy, Bern. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(14):853–864. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096278 Guideline check pending
Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.