Clinical Guidelines Rundown on Sports Injury Topics from APTA, AAOS & More

Published: August 28, 2025

As students return to school and gear up for sports, it is important to highlight safety from a clinical perspective. While athletics provide lasting benefits for physical health and personal growth, preventable injuries can have serious consequences if overlooked. Clinicians frequently see cases such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, which can sideline athletes for months, or conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome that may arise in activities requiring repetitive wrist use. Understanding guideline recommendations can help these young athletes receive the necessary treatment and ideally return back to their activity level as quickly as possible.

Advances such as telerehabilitation now allow clinicians to guide athletes through therapy and injury-prevention exercises remotely, supporting accessibility and consistency in care. Collaboration between healthcare providers, coaches, and families on protective gear, hydration strategies, and gradual return-to-play protocols helps safeguard students’ health. By prioritizing prevention and early intervention, we support both immediate performance and long-term athletic well-being.

The following clinical guidelines come from the American Physical Therapy Association, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine.