Evidence-Based Return to Sport After a Stress Injury or Fracture By James Makin – Physical Therapist & Osteopath

Evidence-Based Return to Sport After a Stress Injury or FractureBy James Makin – Physical Therapy & Osteopath, The Osteopathic Care Clinic, Douglas, Cork

Returning to sport after a stress injury or fracture can feel frustrating, but with the right plan, most athletes make a full recovery. Recent research shows that over 90% of athletes safely return to sport after a bone stress injury, although recovery times vary depending on the location and severity of the injury.

Studies from the past decade highlight that certain areas – such as the navicular, femoral neck, and anterior tibia – take longer to heal because they’re considered “high-risk.” These injuries may require more structured rehabilitation, and in some cases, surgical treatment leads to faster, safer return compared to rest alone.

On average, athletes return to full sport in about 12–13 weeks, though this can be shorter for low-risk injuries and longer for high-risk ones. Newer treatments, like focused shockwave therapy, have also shown promising results for helping runners recover more comfortably and efficiently.

At The Osteopathic Care Clinic, James uses an evidence-based approach that blends graded loading, movement correction, physical therapy, and osteopathic techniques to support optimal bone healing. A key part of recovery is progressing activity gradually—typically increasing training volume slowly each week and ensuring activities remain pain-free.

Most importantly, your plan is personalised. Your symptoms, sport, training demands, and goals guide every stage of your return-to-play process.

With the right balance of science-based rehab and supportive hands-on care, you can return to sport confidently, safely, and ready to perform at your best.

James Makin

BSc, DO, Msc