Functional sports testing may also be indicated in some patients who have had a previous surgery and otherwise seem to have normal knee stability and other problems. In this circumstance, it is important to determine whether the patient needs more directed physical therapy by working on their balance, improving their flexibility, increasing their overall strength, or increasing their endurance. A functional sports test may provide excellent guidance to a patient who wishes to increase their overall activities, and to determine if they have achieved sufficient return of function after surgery to return to full activities.
About the Author: Robert LaPrade, MD
Robert LaPrade, MD, PhD has specialized skills and expertise in diagnosing and treating complicated knee injuries. He has treated athletes at all levels, including Olympic, professional and intercollegiate athletes, and has returned numerous athletes back to full participation after surgeries. Recognized globally for his outstanding and efficient surgical skills and dedication to sports medicine, he has received many research awards, including the OREF Clinic Research Award considered by many a Nobel Prize in orthopedics. Dr. LaPrade is one of the most published investigators in his field, and many of the surgeries that he has developed are now performed worldwide and recognized as the “gold standard” for the treatment of complex knee injuries.