Determining when to return to play from injury can be one of the most difficult decisions for both the player and the coach/manager.

We usually see professional athletes play through pain by “toughing it out.” While it can be viewed as courageous, it’s certainly not the brightest idea.

Even if the player is the star midfielder of the team, if there’s an ounce of concern, they should NOT return to the pitch.

For example, there may not be any physical signs of a concussion, but an athlete should NEVER attempt to return to play until all the symptoms have subsided and the athlete has been cleared by a medical professional with experience in sports injuries and concussions.

Likewise, playing with an unhealed fracture is also foolish. Some basic guidelines for returning to activity include having full strength and range on both sides. After receiving medical clearance from a practitioner, the athlete should feel ready to return to full contact and there should be little risk of reinjury.

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