Returning To Work And Activities Following Surgery

There is great variation in the time span needed for each individual. However, there are some very general guidelines for returning to work and returning to sports.

Returning To Work

Returning to work will depend on the physical nature of the activity:

• If your job involves sitting down, some surgeons may allow return to work as soon as a week after surgery.

• If your job requires standing, it may be four to six weeks before return to work is recommended.

• If your job requires lifting moderate loads or climbing activities, recovery time may need to be as long as two to four months.

Return To Sports

Expect to be able to...

• Jog at four months

• Road cycle at four to five months

• Run in a straight line at five months

• Perform agility drills such as figure eight's, as well as light cutting using the functional brace, at around six to eight months

To achieve this successfully, you need to stick with the rehab program arranged by your surgeon and physical therapist.

Sports-specific changes may be initiated anywhere from four to 24 months, depending upon the physician's protocol.