When I was a kid it seemed like there were many great athletes whose careers were ended by injuries. How are todays players able to keep going with torn ligaments, separated shoulders, and worse?
That’s a very good question that may not have a simple, straightforward answer. There are several factors at work here. The first is training and preparation. Today’s athletes have much better counseling and assistance with improved training techniques. When injuries occur, they have the muscle strength to support joints allowing them to bounce back faster. And we know more about the natural history of many injuries. With time enough to do long-term studies, we know better now which injuries respond well to rehab and which ones don’t. Rehab procedures have also improved. Specific training for sports physical therapists and athletic trainers enables them to get players back in action quickly. Good nutrition aimed at wound healing combined with rehab principles is an added bonus. In many cases, better care on the field at the time of the acute injury has made a difference. And surgeries are possible now to repair ligament injuries that would have put players out of the game 30 years ago.
