Pathway 03 · No surgery

re: injury

I’m dealing with an injury

Not every injury ends in an operating room. The same practical questions still apply: settle the area, keep the rest of you moving, and build back gradually.

A person climbing outdoor stadium steps at early golden hour during rehabilitation

The first days

Settle the area, protect the rest

Protect the area early, then start moving it as your clinician allows. Complete rest for weeks rarely helps.
Get an assessment if you cannot bear weight or use the limb, if the joint looks deformed, or if you feel numbness or tingling.
Seek urgent care for a suspected fracture, a joint that gives way, or pain that keeps worsening.

Swelling + pain

Cold, compression and elevation

Elevation and cold therapy are commonly used to settle swelling after an injury. Ask your clinician how long and how often.
Protect your skin. Never apply cold directly to bare skin for long periods.
Compression may help with swelling and support, but it should never cause numbness or tingling.

Cold + compression · optional

Game Ready

Cold therapy with intermittent compression is also used for swelling and pain after injuries that are not treated with surgery. Ask your clinician whether it suits your injury.

SEE GAME READY RENTAL OPTIONS

Interested in Game Ready? You'll provide your information directly to the rental company. Their team will explain availability, prescription requirements and next steps.

Nutrition

Fuelling repair when there is no operation

Protein, fluids and enough overall energy support tissue repair whether or not you have surgery.
Sleep and adequate energy intake matter as much as any single nutrient.
Injuries often change how much you move. Keep meals steady rather than cutting back.

Surgical nutrition · optional

Thrive Protocol

Some people with injuries use Thrive Protocol for the nutrition basics it makes easier to keep up.

Thrive Protocol is a perioperative program, designed around surgery. It has not been shown to improve outcomes for injuries that are not treated with surgery, and it is not a substitute for a balanced diet or your clinician’s advice.

GET THRIVE PROTOCOL

Explore the surgical nutrition program on Thrive Protocol’s website.

Rest

Sleeping around an injury

Pain often feels worse at night. A comfortable position matters more than a perfect one.
Extra support under the limb can take strain off the joint while you sleep.
Keep a steady routine, and tell your clinician if pain is repeatedly waking you.

Sleep + comfort · optional

Shoulder Sleeper

For shoulder surgery or injury

If the injury is in your shoulder, sleeping position is often the hardest part of the day to solve.

EXPLORE SHOULDER SLEEP OPTIONS

Return

Building back with confidence

Progress in graded steps. Adding load slowly is usually better than testing the injury.
Hesitation is normal after an injury. Confidence often returns through controlled, repeated movement.
Stop and seek advice if pain increases sharply or the area swells again after activity.

Mindset + confidence · optional

Unbroken Athlete

Unbroken Athlete offers programs focused on the mental side of returning from injury, helping people work through hesitation, rebuild confidence and feel more prepared to return to activity.

EXPLORE UNBROKEN ATHLETE

Compression + performance · optional

Reparel

Compression apparel for comfort and support as activity increases again.

EXPLORE REPAREL

re: may receive compensation from purchases made through its partner resources. Recommendations are optional and separate from your medical care.

This is general education, not medical advice. Always follow the specific instructions from your healthcare team, and contact them with any concerns.