Question - Lateral Release (return to football)

by Anthony
(New York)

I just had a lateral release yesterday on my knee because the patella kept dislocating. The doctor was just going to clean it out but then decided this was necessary.

The thing is I'm going into my senior year of football and i will need to be back in 5 weeks to start practice. My coach will let me take it easy and not work me too hard so i really have about 6 1/2 weeks. So will this be enough time to get me back on the field?

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Question - Lateral Release (return to football)

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Jul 20, 2008
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6 weeks is pretty fast
by: Bart - SII

While everyone heals differently and progresses at different paces, 6 weeks after a lateral release is pretty quick. Most of my patients have gone back to activities at 8-12 weeks after this type of surgery - and that includes some very well conditioned athletes.

The biggest problem with the lateral release is that the knee swells a lot with this surgery - and that slows down the recovery.

Talk to your doctor about when you can safely return to playing football - and remember, missing a couple weeks at the beginning of the season is better than getting hurt again by going back too soon and missing the whole season.

Bart