When can I play padel or football again after a loose body is removed?

It depends on what was done

The return-to-sport timeline follows the most involved part of the operation, not the loose body itself. Removing a fragment is a small procedure. But if the crater it left needed a cartilage repair, or a large fragment was fixed back in place, the joint surface needs time to heal before twisting and impact. Ask your surgeon which of these applied to your knee.

Typical stages after simple removal

• First week or two: walking normally, reducing swelling, regaining full straightening and bending
• Weeks two to four: cycling, gym strengthening, then straight-line jogging if the knee is quiet
• Weeks four to six: running drills, changes of direction and sport-specific movements
• After that: training with the team or on court, then full matches once you pass the checks

Signs you are ready

Your knee should not swell after training, you should have full movement, and the operated leg should feel close to the other leg in strength and hopping. Padel puts a lot of stress on the knee through quick lunges and turns, and football adds tackles, so a physiotherapist's return-to-sport testing is worth doing. Start with shorter games and avoid back-to-back days at first.

In the hot months, play indoors or late in the evening so fatigue does not undermine your control.

Follow-up at Aman Hospital

In Doha, Dr. Gelber reviews you after surgery and clears you for each stage. Come back sooner if the knee swells repeatedly, catches again, or feels unstable, because those symptoms need checking before you push on.