How Long Will This Take?

People always want to be given time frames for their recovery from injuries and painful episodes.  They want to know how long they'll be on the sidelines from their usual sports and activities.  They also want to compare themselves to others to be sure they're "on track".

I completely understand why I'm asked all the time: "How long will it take before I'm better?"

The reality is that I (nor anyone for that matter) don't really know for sure.  Yes, there are general time frames that we can go by regarding particular conditions or post-surgical protocols.  But there are just too many variables to account for to make definitive assertions about recovery from injuries and painful movement dysfunctions.

Here's a quick example.  On April 28, 2012, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.  A few hours later, Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks tore his left ACL in a game against the Miami Heat.  While both of these world-class athletes had the best rehabilitation teams at their disposal, it took Rose significantly more time to get back on the court compared to Shumpert.  While their injuries were diagnostically the same, their recoveries took varied routes.  This speaks to the multiple variables involved in recovery, which include some of the following:

1) Age
2) Pre-injury condition (co-morbidities)
3) Nutrition
4) Access to care
5) Quality of care
6) Home support
7) Social/emotional components
8) Fear
9) MOTIVATION

These are just a few factors that help dictate one's recovery.  No two of us are the same, so we shouldn't expect our rehabilitation to be exactly the same as others.

I don't mind when folks ask me how long their therapy will take.  After all, it's important to establish goals that follow time frames.  I also respect the fact that many people are simply naturally competitive and want to know how they stack up against others who have been in similar situations.  But please recognize your individuality and realize that there's only one person who matters in the equation, and that's YOU.  If you respect the body's capacity to heal, seek out the best care possible, and allow time to do its thing, you'll ultimately achieve your goals.

A little bit of perspective and patience in the short term will help lead you to long-term meaningful gains.