Return to Play After Maxillofacial Fractures in Professional Athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.76.75401Keywords
maxillofacial fractures, return-to-play, combat sports, protective masks, sports medicine, rehabilitationAbstract
Background. Maxillofacial fractures in professional sports traditionally dictate 8-12 weeks of recovery. Evolving rehabilitation approaches and materials engineering prompt a re-evaluation of these protocols to safely reduce athletic absence.
Aim. To synthesize literature on optimizing return-to-play (RTP) timelines for maxillofacial injuries and propose clinical and radiological criteria for a safe return, emphasizing zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures.
Material and methods. A narrative review of 36 peer-reviewed articles was conducted, focusing on RTP timelines, epidemiology, combat sports, protective gear (masks and mouthguards), clinical management, and bone healing biology.
Results. Early RTP (under 6 weeks) is feasible for selected athletes utilizing mandatory protective masks and strictly graded physical activity. Conversely, high-impact and combat sports require a strict minimum 3-month recovery. Custom polycarbonate masks and intraoral mouthguards effectively mitigate secondary injury risks.
Conclusions. RTP can be safely accelerated through rigid internal fixation and advanced protective wear. However, this mandates rigorous multidisciplinary monitoring, individualized risk assessment, and informed consent.
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