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Injuries are inevitable, especially in high-impact sports like MMA, jiu-jitsu, and other combat sports. When an injury happens, the immediate thought might be to "fix" it quickly, and surgery often seems like a straightforward solution. However, surgery should be the last resort for most injuries. There are numerous non-surgical approaches that are safer, less invasive, and just as effective when applied correctly.

Here’s why you should avoid surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary and explore alternative ways to manage and recover from injuries.

The Risks of Surgery

1. Invasive Nature
   Surgery inherently involves cutting through muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even bones. This creates additional trauma in an already compromised area. Post-surgical recovery often involves healing from both the injury and the surgical trauma, which can complicate recovery.

2. Risk of Infection
   Any surgery comes with a risk of infection, especially if it involves large incisions or orthopedic hardware like screws or plates. These infections can severely prolong recovery time or even require additional surgeries to correct.

3. Scar Tissue Formation
   Post-surgical scar tissue can restrict movement, increase stiffness, and affect your ability to return to high-level athletic performance. For combat sports athletes, this could reduce range of motion, flexibility, or power.

4. Extended Recovery Times
   While surgery might fix the issue, it often comes with a longer recovery period. You may be unable to train at full intensity for several months, leading to loss of strength, muscle mass, and mobility.

5. High Costs and Psychological Toll
   Surgery can be expensive, especially if rehabilitation is required. Beyond financial strain, there’s the emotional and psychological toll of undergoing surgery and facing a prolonged recovery.

Non-Surgical Alternatives to Consider

1. Physical Therapy
   Physical therapy is often the first line of defense against injury. A well-structured rehabilitation program can restore mobility, strength, and function without the need for invasive measures. Trained therapists use a combination of manual therapy, targeted exercises, and mobility work to rehabilitate the injured area.

   • Example: A rotator cuff tear, commonly seen in combat athletes, can often be treated effectively with physical therapy and strengthening exercises, allowing many to return to full activity without surgery.

2. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE)
   For acute injuries, RICE remains a powerful tool. Resting the injured area, applying ice to reduce swelling, compressing it with a bandage, and elevating it can reduce inflammation and promote healing without surgical intervention.

3. Chiropractic Care and Soft Tissue Work
   Chiropractic adjustments or soft tissue techniques like Active Release Therapy (ART) can realign the body, relieve pressure, and reduce discomfort. These methods work by addressing musculoskeletal imbalances and releasing tension, speeding up the healing process without surgery.

4. Cortisone Injections and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
   While injections should not be overused, cortisone shots can temporarily reduce inflammation and provide pain relief, giving the body time to heal naturally. PRP therapy, where platelets from your blood are injected into the injured area, promotes tissue regeneration and healing.

5. Strengthening and Mobility Programs
   One of the most important aspects of recovery is addressing weaknesses or imbalances that contributed to the injury. Tailored strength and mobility programs can strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility, helping you return to full strength without surgery.

When Surgery Might Be Unavoidable

While avoiding surgery is often preferable, some injuries do require surgical intervention, especially in extreme cases where non-invasive methods don’t provide relief or when the injury involves:

• Complete tears: Ligaments, tendons, or muscles that are completely torn and cannot heal on their own may require surgery to restore function.
• Fractures: Severe fractures that involve displacement or joint damage may require surgical fixation with pins or plates.
• Joint damage: Injuries like labral tears or severe cartilage damage may not fully heal without surgical repair, especially if they’re affecting function or causing extreme pain.

Even in these cases, it’s often beneficial to explore non-surgical methods first, or use them in conjunction with surgery to speed up recovery and avoid unnecessary complications.

How Long Does Non-Surgical Recovery Take?

The timeline for recovery depends on several factors:

• Type of injury: Soft tissue injuries like strains or sprains often heal in 4-8 weeks with proper management, while more severe injuries can take months.
• Treatment adherence: Following a well-structured rehab program and remaining consistent can significantly reduce recovery time.
• Age and overall health: Younger, healthier individuals often heal faster than older athletes or those with pre-existing conditions.

By opting for non-surgical treatment, you might experience a more gradual recovery compared to surgery, but you also avoid the long-term complications of invasive procedures.

Conclusion: Choose Surgery Only as a Last Resort

Surgery can seem like a quick fix, but it often comes with serious risks and longer recovery times. In many cases, non-surgical interventions like physical therapy, mobility work, and other less invasive treatments offer equally effective results. For combat athletes, keeping your body functioning at peak performance means preserving your natural movement patterns, avoiding unnecessary trauma, and allowing your body to heal on its own whenever possible.

Only consider surgery if all other options have been exhausted, and consult with a sports medicine professional to explore every non-surgical option first.

1. Hirschmann, M. T., & Hohmann, E. (2016). Evidence-based rehabilitation: The role of physical therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(3), 135-145.

   • Discusses the effectiveness of physical therapy for various injuries as an alternative to surgery.

2. Khan, K. M., & Roberts, P. (2016). Surgery is not always the answer: An alternative approach to musculoskeletal injury management. Journal of Sports Medicine, 6(1), 1-8.

   • Highlights the risks of surgical intervention and the benefits of non-surgical management for injuries.

3. Mauck, R. L., & Spector, M. (2010). Chiropractic care for the athlete: Evidence-based practice. Journal of Sports Medicine, 4(2), 101-110.

   • Explores chiropractic care's benefits in injury recovery and prevention in athletes.

4. Topp, R., & Riemann, B. L. (2016). Physical therapy and the management of soft tissue injuries: Current trends and future directions. Physical Therapy Reviews, 21(3), 205-214.

   • Reviews various non-surgical methods for managing soft tissue injuries effectively.

5. Järvinen, T. A. H., et al. (2005). Muscle injuries: Biology and treatment. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 33(5), 745-764.

   • Discusses muscle injuries and emphasizes the importance of conservative treatment before considering surgery.

6. Cheung, T. H., & Wong, P. Y. (2020). PRP injections for musculoskeletal injuries: A systematic review. Sports Health, 12(3), 254-259.

   • Evaluates the effectiveness of PRP therapy in promoting healing and reducing pain in sports injuries.

These sources provide a solid foundation for the points made in the blog post about the risks of surgery and the advantages of non-surgical treatment options.