In athletes, the knee is one of the most commonly injured joints. Injury can occur from overuse or overtraining, impact to the knee, falls, and sudden twisting movements. Some injuries heal on their own with rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the leg. Severe or chronic knee injuries may require surgical repair of the joint structures. After Knee Surgery Research shows high levels of stress can delay wound healing.
Stress appears to be related to an increased production of a hormone called cortisol.
Now, doctors at Yale Sports Medicine Center want to know if stress and other factors influence healing time after knee surgery. Early findings show patients who have a lot of psychological stress tend to heal more slowly than similar patients with less stress. In addition, the research suggests hormones may play a role in healing time in women, especially during menstruation. Doctors strongly caution the research is very preliminary and needs further investigation. In addition, other factors can strongly influence recovery time.