A surgeon sheds light on 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk’s recovery timeline

Brandon Aiyuk has a long, difficult recovery ahead of him.

Aiyuk recently tore his ACL and MCL – a devastating injury for any football player, but especially for a wide receiver who relies on quickness and quickness.

To learn more about Aiyuk’s rehabilitation process, we spoke with Ayoosh Pareek MD, sports medicine surgeon at the Hospital of Special Surgeries in New York. HSS has physicians who serve as team physicians for many professional sports teams, including the New York Giants.

This is what Pareek said about Aiyuk’s recovery.

Q: How long does the repair process take compared to a clean ACL tear?

PAREEK: For ACL injuries, professional athletes typically aim to return within 9-12 months. MCL injuries, especially minor injuries such as sprains or partial tears, are common with ACL tears, but usually do not change the return-to-play timeline. Typically, MCL injuries heal only with rehabilitation and players can stay on track for recovery. However, in cases where the MCL tear is more severe and requires surgery, the process may take longer, adding 1-3 months to the timeline for return to sport. That timeline can shift depending on factors such as the player’s position, surgical variability and individual rehabilitation progress. If both the ACL and MCL require surgery, recovery becomes more complex and some of the usual milestones, such as running or cutting exercises, may be postponed. Fortunately, surgery for the MCL is less common, leaving most players on the standard recovery path.

Q: What percentage of NFL wide receivers make a full recovery from Aiyuk’s specific injury?

PAREEK: Giving a percentage is difficult when we don’t know the specific details of the injury, but with modern surgical techniques and rehabilitation, we expect more NFL wide receivers to make a full recovery than not. Yet we learn that their first season back is not always as productive as their pre-injury seasons, and that they continue to make progress during the 1-2 years post-surgery. The risk of re-injury remains a concern for both the ipsilateral and contralateral knees. Therefore, staying mentally and physically strong remains important principles of high-level sports participation.

Q: What is usually the most difficult aspect of the recovery process?

PAREEK: One of the most challenging aspects of recovery is addressing both the physical and psychological components. Athletes must overcome not only the physical demands of rehabilitation, but also mental hurdles, such as the fear of reinjury, which can impact confidence and performance. The surgery itself is usually an outpatient procedure, but the lengthy rehabilitation process requires sustained commitment over months or even years. We increasingly see the importance of psychological preparedness in top athletes. Sports psychologists are playing a greater role in helping athletes regain their self-confidence, especially in high-demand sports such as football. Mental preparation is now considered just as crucial as physical rehabilitation, helping athletes stay motivated, avoid burnout and perform at their best upon their return to the field.

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