International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

Call for Paper Volume 8, Issue 3 (May-June 2026) Submit your research before last 3 days of June to publish your research paper in the issue of May-June.
Submit Research Paper Join as a Reviewer

Plagiarism is checked by the leading plagiarism checker TurnItIn

Call for Paper

Volume 8 Issue 3
May-June 2026

Submit your research paper

Indexing Partners
Academia Advanced Sciences Index Bielefeld Academic Search Engine CiteSeer DRJI Google Scholar Independent Search Engine & Directory Network ISI (International Scientific Indexing) Issuu Mendeley Research Networks
RefSeek ResearcherId - Thomson Reuters ResearchGate Scirus Scribd Semantic Scholar UTeM - Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka Wiki for Call for Papers WorldCat Zenodo

Return-to-Sport Criteria After Meniscal Injury: Are Current Functional Tests Enough? A Narrative Review

Author(s) Dr. Kapil Kumar Garg (PT), Mr. Rahul Yadav, Prof. Dr. Aditi Singh, Dr. Kartikeya Vahal (PT)
Country India
Abstract Background
Meniscal Injury represents one of the most common intra-articular knee pathologies among athletes participating in pivoting, cutting, jumping, and contact sports. Although surgical techniques and rehabilitation strategies have advanced substantially, determining readiness for return-to-sport (RTS) remains clinically challenging. Current RTS decisions often rely on time-based milestones, symptom resolution, and functional performance tests; however, these criteria may not adequately capture biomechanical, neuromuscular, psychological, and sport-specific recovery.
Objective
To critically evaluate contemporary evidence regarding RTS criteria following meniscal injury, with specific emphasis on whether currently used functional tests are sufficient to determine safe return to athletic participation.
Methods
A narrative literature review was conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PEDro, and Google Scholar. Literature published between 2010 and 2026 was screened using predefined search terms related to meniscal injury, rehabilitation, functional testing, sports participation, and RTS decision-making. Randomized studies, cohort studies, systematic reviews, consensus statements, and clinical guidelines were included.
Key Findings
Current RTS decision-making following meniscal injury remains highly heterogeneous. Most published protocols rely predominantly on time-based recovery, range of motion, pain-free function, quadriceps strength, and hop performance tests. Recent evidence suggests that isolated functional tests may fail to identify residual deficits in movement quality, neuromuscular control, psychological readiness, and tissue healing status. Multidimensional RTS frameworks appear more clinically relevant than isolated performance metrics.
Conclusion
Existing functional tests provide valuable information but appear insufficient as standalone RTS criteria following meniscal injury. Integration of biomechanical assessment, psychological readiness, movement analysis, and sport-specific loading assessment may improve decision-making and reduce reinjury risk.
Keywords Meniscal injury; return to sport; functional testing; rehabilitation; sports physiotherapy; knee biomechanics.
Field Medical / Pharmacy
Published In Volume 8, Issue 3, May-June 2026
Published On 2026-05-14
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i03.78325
View / Download PDF File

Share this



E-ISSN 2582-2160
CrossRef

CrossRef DOI is assigned to each research paper published in our journal.

IJFMR DOI prefix is
10.36948/ijfmr

Downloads
Research Paper Format Copyright Permission Form and Undertaking Form Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 3Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 2Cover Page Vol 8 Isu 2

All research papers published on this website are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, and all rights belong to their respective authors/researchers.

CC-BY-SA Open Access

About IJFMR
Fees & Payment
Current Issue
Publication Archive 		Submit Research Paper
Track Submission Status
Publication Guidelines
Publication Ethics
Peer Review & Plagiarism 		Join as a Reviewer
Editors & Reviewers
Reviewer Referral Program
Get Reviewer Membership Certi. 		Website/Journal Policies
Usage Policy
Content Policies
Privacy Policy
Contact Us +91-9687-828-838 editor@ijfmr.com
Powered by Sky Research Publication and Journals