What criteria must be satisfied for a patient with a tibial stress fracture before returning to sports?

For a patient with a tibial stress fracture to return to sports, it is essential that a thorough physical examination of the affected area shows normal findings. This includes the absence of tenderness, swelling, and any other indicators of injury that may suggest the fracture has not fully healed. A comprehensive evaluation ensures that the patient has regained function and strength in the leg, reducing the likelihood of re-injury.

While normal weight-bearing status, the ability to jump without pain, and a normal range of motion are important factors in assessing recovery, they are more specific symptoms or functional tests rather than overarching criteria that signal readiness to return to sports. A normal physical examination encompasses these different aspects and confirms that the patient's condition is stable enough for the demands of sports. This holistic approach is critical in ensuring the patient's safe return to athletic activity.