Sports Injury Recovery: Why Some Athletes Bounce Back Faster

Two athletes with similar physique get the same injury. One is back in the game remarkably fast, while the other is out for multiple games or even the rest of the season. Why do some athletes bounce back faster than others?

At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist George Hatch, MD, explains what gives some athletes an edge when it comes to sports injury recovery.

Common types of sports injuries

Depending on the type of sport you play and your position, you’re more likely to sustain certain types of injuries over others. At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Hatch routinely sees athletes with injuries such as:

• Tendinitis in the ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist
• Sprains and strains  
• Shoulder dislocations and instability
• Cartilage injuries and joint stiffness
• SLAP and rotator cuff tears  
• Patellar dislocations and instability
• Broken bones (fractures)

Dr. Hatch delivers the same great care to every patient, but some recover faster than others. Why?

Factors behind a faster recovery

Some athletes seem to heal faster and better while others struggle with rehabilitation and repeated injuries. There’s no single answer to the “why,” but there are several known factors.

Age

It’s simply a fact that younger bodies are more adaptive and heal faster than older ones. The more years you’ve lived through, the slower your body heals as production of growth factors slows down and inflammation becomes more of an issue due to cell senescence.

Injury severity

One person might have a torn rotator cuff, but the angle and depth of the tear isn’t too severe. Another person might have a rotator cuff tear on the same side, but the depth of the tear and angle is more severe. The first person is more likely to heal faster.

Resilience

Athletes who take good care of their bodies and cross train so their most vulnerable joints are supported have more resilience and heal faster from injuries. Overall good health beats sheer strength or speed any day.

Experience

With experience comes the knowledge of how to avoid serious injury and how to recover quickly. Newer athletes might not have their stance or foot placement right, or may take more risks and end up with worse injuries than veterans of the sport. Seasoned athletes are also more likely to listen to their doctor and follow directions for a shorter recovery time.

Level of care

Not all doctors are created equal, and not all athletes have access to the best sports injury professionals. Having a doctor who can provide advanced care like orthobiologic treatments can make all the difference in recovery time.

Have you sustained a sports injury? Speed your recovery with top-line treatment. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hatch by calling Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery at 323-442-5860, or booking an appointment online today.