What score clears a patient to return to sport when using the single leg hop for distance?

What score clears a patient to return to sport when using the single leg hop for distance?

• A. >90% compared to the CL limb
• B. >75% compared to the CL limb
• C. >80% compared to the CL limb
• D. >95% compared to the CL limb

Answer: (A)

When deciding return-to-sport readiness after knee injury, performance symmetry on hop tests is key. The single-leg hop for distance gauges leg power and control by measuring how far you can hop on the injured leg compared with the uninjured leg. The limb symmetry index is calculated as (hop distance on the injured leg ÷ hop distance on the uninjured leg) × 100. A common clearance threshold is greater than 90%, meaning the injured leg can hop at least 90% as far as the healthy leg. Reaching this level suggests the injured limb has regained near-normal strength and neuromuscular control, supporting safer return to high-demand activities when technique is good and pain or swelling is absent. Lower thresholds (like 75% or 80%) would tolerate more asymmetry and potentially raise re-injury risk, while a threshold of 95% can be overly strict for many athletes and prolong rehabilitation. This test is one piece of the overall return-to-sport evaluation, alongside other strength, range of motion, and functional assessments.

When deciding return-to-sport readiness after knee injury, performance symmetry on hop tests is key. The single-leg hop for distance gauges leg power and control by measuring how far you can hop on the injured leg compared with the uninjured leg. The limb symmetry index is calculated as (hop distance on the injured leg ÷ hop distance on the uninjured leg) × 100. A common clearance threshold is greater than 90%, meaning the injured leg can hop at least 90% as far as the healthy leg. Reaching this level suggests the injured limb has regained near-normal strength and neuromuscular control, supporting safer return to high-demand activities when technique is good and pain or swelling is absent. Lower thresholds (like 75% or 80%) would tolerate more asymmetry and potentially raise re-injury risk, while a threshold of 95% can be overly strict for many athletes and prolong rehabilitation. This test is one piece of the overall return-to-sport evaluation, alongside other strength, range of motion, and functional assessments.