Melanie Gibson General Martial Arts, Guest Writers, Injury and Recovery, Training Tips

Guest Writer: Adult Martial Artists Can Use This Guide To Protect Their Bodies Over The Years

A female martial artist applies bandages to her knee

About this time six years ago at age 41, I tore my right ACL and ended up having two surgeries to correct it. Eventually I got back to taekwondo, but it took a lot of physical, mental, and emotional perseverance. Injuries, big or small, are a part of most athlete’s lives, especially as we age. To stay fit and strong and do the things we love, there are things we need to consider and be mindful of as we train or recover. This article from Emma Grace Brown includes mindset and practical tips for dealing with injuries in your 30s, 40s, or 50s.

Adult Martial Artists Can Use This Guide To Protect Their Bodies Over The Years

Adult martial artists face a different reality than teenagers and young competitors. Whether you train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, karate, taekwondo, or another discipline, the way you manage injuries in your 30s, 40s, and 50s plays a major role in determining how long you’ll stay on the mat. A sore shoulder ignored today can become a chronic limitation years later, while a properly managed knee injury may eventually become little more than another chapter in your training journey.

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Melanie Gibson Injury and Recovery

The Road to Hell Is Paved With Health Insurance Claims

In case you’re wondering, if you live in my metropolitan area and have an ACL repair surgery that turns into full reconstruction it will cost:
$55,563.26

Anesthesia will be billed separately, and be prepared to pay for six to eight months of physical therapy twice a week. You may also have to pay for one or two leg braces, not to mention that MRI that diagnosed your torn ACL in the first place. Some of your post-op visits with your doctor will be free, but only for a short grace period. You’ll go right back to specialist co-pays once the “post-op” period runs out.

Oh, and the giant bill was just for the “hospital encounter.” You may also have charges to the orthopedic clinic for your operating physician and an assistant for the same day as your surgery…same people, same patient, same procedure, but whatever, still separate charges.

If you went to an emergency center or hospital emergency room immediately after your injury, be prepared for a bill for that too.

The human body is a wonderful thing, but upkeep can be quite expensive.

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