Return to Sport (RTS): Identifying Injury Risk Factors, Diagnostics and Treatment Process

Return to Sport (RTS) is a critical process for athletes recovering from an injury, and involves a variety of medical professionals including sports medicine, rehabilitation medicine, and primary health care providers. The RTS process centers around six key areas: musculoskeletal asymmetry, the musculoskeletal system, diagnostic methods, rehabilitation, injury prevention, and ongoing care.

Musculoskeletal asymmetry refers to the imbalance that often results when an athlete suffers an injury, and it is a crucial issue that must be addressed as part of the RTS process. The musculoskeletal system is likewise an essential component of RTS, and any imbalances or restrictions in this system must be addressed during rehabilitation. Diagnostic methods including medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies are used to diagnose the extent of the injury and provide guidance for the rehabilitation program.

Rehabilitation, another component of RTS, is developed based on specific diagnostic findings and the athlete's unique needs, goals, and timelines. Physical therapy, manual therapy, strength training, and neuromuscular re-education exercises may be included in the rehabilitation process. Prevention of future injury is a core focus of the RTS process, and ongoing support is necessary to minimize the risk of further injuries.

RTS involves multiple steps and careful coordination among various medical providers, including primary health care providers, sports medicine professionals, and rehabilitation medicine specialists. A successful RTS program is key to an athlete's safe return to sports. The RTS program is designed to address musculoskeletal asymmetry, rehabilitate the musculoskeletal system, use diagnostic methods, provide rehabilitation, prevent future injuries, and enable ongoing support. Careful coordination of RTS among this team of providers allows for a safe return to sport while promoting long-term health and optimal performance.

In this Research Topic, we aim to explore various approaches for diagnosing and treating these issues during an athlete's return-to-sport (RTS) process. Our goal is to initiate further discussions and promote the dissemination of knowledge in the field, encouraging new and comprehensive techniques for diagnosis and treatment.

Researchers are encouraged to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, systematic reviews, clinical trials, case reports, perspectives, short communications as well as theoretical papers, opinions, and study protocols relevant to this article collection.

Keywords: asymmetry, musculoskeletal system, diagnostic methods, rehabilitation, treatment, injury prevention, return to sport, rehabilitation medicine, sports medicine

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.