Return to Sport
IBJI’s Return to Sport program, also called Phase IV, is advanced rehabilitation for people recovering from a hip, knee, or ankle injury who want to get back to full activity and lower their risk of getting hurt again.
Our evidence-based program helps you:
- Build strength for your sport or job
- Improve speed and power
- Jump and land with confidence (plyometric and jump training)
- Cut, pivot, and stop safely
- Reduce your risk of reinjury
Who Is It For?
- Competitive and recreational athletes
- High school and college athletes recovering from an ACL injury
- Industrial athletes (people returning to physically demanding work)
- Weekend warriors
Three Ways to Participate
The right option depends on your insurance coverage and how you prefer to train. Your physician or physical therapist can help you choose.
Physical Therapy (Phase IV Therapy)
If your insurance covers advanced sport-specific rehabilitation, you’ll receive one-on-one care with a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
Phase IV Therapy is available at any of our IBJI rehabilitation clinics, depending on space and staffing. Your physician or physical therapist may refer you to a specific location.
If your insurance limits coverage for this kind of rehabilitation, the two options below are available.
Small-Group Class (Phase IV Class)
The Phase IV Class is a small-group training option for patients whose insurance limits coverage for advanced sport-specific rehabilitation.
This six-week, circuit-style class follows a progressive strength and conditioning program, with coaching on sport-specific skills, including:
- Plyometrics (jump training)
- Sprinting
- Deceleration (slowing down and stopping safely)
- Cutting (changing direction)
You’ll also train alongside other athletes recovering from similar injuries.
The cost of this class is not covered by insurance. The $400 charge includes pre-testing, 12 class sessions, and post-testing. HSA cards can be used. Attendance twice a week is required.
To keep each group together, we ask that all participants begin on the class start date for their location.
The class was created for patients with insurance limitations, but your physician may recommend it, or you can choose it if you prefer training in a group.
One-on-One Training (Phase IV Training)
If the class doesn’t fit your schedule, or you prefer individualized care, we offer one-hour, one-on-one training sessions for $70 per session.
Phase IV Training is offered at our sports institutes in Highland Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, and Rosemont.
How We Measure Your Progress
Throughout your recovery, we test your strength and movement to see how you’re progressing and whether you’re ready for the next stage of rehabilitation and, ultimately, your return to sport. We compare your injured side with your uninjured side, so every assessment is specific to you.
Return-to-Sport Assessment
Our standard Return-to-Sport Assessment evaluates functional strength, side-to-side (limb) symmetry, jumping (plyometric) power, and how you move during dynamic tasks.
The results help your physician, physical therapist, or athletic trainer judge whether you’re ready to return safely. The assessment can be performed at any IBJI rehabilitation clinic.
Your physician or treating clinician may also recommend Biodex testing.
Biodex Strength Testing
The Biodex precisely measures the force produced by the main muscles that move the knee: the quadriceps and hamstrings. Testing these muscles at different speeds shows your progress and any remaining weakness or imbalance.
Biodex testing is offered at our Highland Park and Chicago – Avondale physical therapy clinics.
When Are You Ready to Return?
Our tests and return-to-sport criteria are based on research evidence, to support a complete, safe return and reduce the risk of future injury.
Before you’re cleared, your strength, functional movement, and dynamic movement scores on the injured side need to be within 85–90% of the uninjured side. This helps confirm that your endurance, strength, stability, and power are back to normal.
Your physician, physical therapist, and athletic trainer work together to decide when you can officially return to sports participation.
Schedule online to see if you’re a good candidate for the Return to Sport program.
