PROF. DR. SAMMY HANNAMD · FACS · FRCS (TR&ORTH) · CCT (TR&ORTH)
RETURN TO SPORT · ABU DHABI
After a knee injury, return to sport is guided by more than healing time. Symptoms, strength, movement quality, confidence, functional testing and the demands of the athlete’s sport are considered together so progression back to training and competition is measured rather than assumed. Return-to-sport rehabilitation guidance in Abu Dhabi is provided alongside surgical care at Healthpoint Hospital.
CHAPTER 01 · READINESS
Select the area closest to the current concern. Return-to-sport decisions are built from several domains rather than one isolated score.
Persistent pain, swelling, loss of motion or episodes of instability can indicate that the knee is not yet tolerating its current level of loading.
See what functional testing adds →CHAPTER 02 · TESTING
A return-to-sport assessment may combine clinical review with strength and functional tasks that reflect the athlete’s goals. The aim is to understand how the knee performs under increasing demand, not simply whether one test can be completed.
Pain, swelling, motion and stability are reviewed before higher-level loading is interpreted.
Quadriceps, hamstrings and wider lower-limb capacity are considered alongside the needs of the athlete’s sport.
Balance, landing, hopping, stepping and deceleration tasks can reveal movement strategies that are not obvious at rest.
Change of direction, acceleration, deceleration and sport-specific tasks are progressed when appropriate.
Trust in the knee and readiness to perform demanding tasks contribute to the return decision.
“The useful question is not whether one test is passed. It is whether the athlete can demonstrate readiness across the demands that matter.”
CHAPTER 03 · THE PATHWAY
A useful framework moves from symptom control and capacity toward movement quality, performance testing and sport-specific exposure. The order is logical, but the exact criteria and timing vary with the injury, treatment, sport and individual.
SELECTED OBSERVATION 01 / 03
CHAPTER 05 · RETURN
Functional tests can add objective information, but return to sport is usually decided from the complete picture: symptoms, clinical recovery, strength, movement quality, testing, confidence and whether the athlete has tolerated progressive sport-specific exposure.
Symptoms remain controlled as running, jumping, direction change and training demands increase.
Physical capacity and movement quality are assessed in the context of the athlete’s role and sporting demands.
Hop testing and other performance measures can contribute useful information when interpreted alongside the rest of the assessment.
Confidence and progressive participation in sport-specific drills and training matter before unrestricted competition.
FOLLOW THE INJURY PATHWAY
These pages explain some of the common sports-knee routes that feed into readiness testing.
THE END POINT
A successful pathway reconnects the recovered knee with real performance: running, accelerating, decelerating, changing direction, training and competing with confidence. The final step is built from the stages before it.
RELATED SPORTS-KNEE ROUTES
Use these pages to understand the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation pathway feeding into return-to-sport decisions.
RETURN TO SPORT FAQ
General information only. Return-to-sport criteria vary with the injury, treatment, sport and individual clinical assessment.
Request an appointmentThe decision usually combines symptoms, clinical recovery, strength, movement control, functional testing, confidence, sport demands and progression through training exposure rather than time alone.
No. Hop testing can contribute useful information, but it should be interpreted alongside strength, symptoms, movement quality, clinical findings, confidence and the demands of the sport.
Repeated swelling can suggest that the knee is not yet tolerating the current level of loading and may need reassessment or adjustment before progression.
No. The injury, whether surgery was performed, associated injuries, rehabilitation progress and the demands of the sport all influence the pathway.
Yes. Confidence and readiness to perform demanding sport-specific movements are relevant parts of the return decision and are considered alongside physical recovery.
No single timeline applies to every knee injury. Time may be one factor, but progression should be based on the clinical picture and functional readiness for the sport.
RETURN WITH A PLAN
Bring details of the original injury or surgery, previous imaging, rehabilitation progress, current symptoms, the sport and position you want to return to, and any recent testing. The consultation can then connect the knee’s recovery with the demands you are preparing to face.
YOUR SPECIALIST
Prof. Hanna is a UK board-certified consultant orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon at Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi. His clinical interests include sports and soft-tissue knee problems, cruciate ligament injuries, arthroscopic surgery, knee cartilage and meniscus problems, partial knee replacement, primary and revision joint replacement, minimally invasive techniques and robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement.