Why Surgeons Love Combat Sports (and What It Teaches Us About Injury, Ego, and Recovery)
Last week, I sat down with Dr. Lucius Pomerantz — hand surgeon, BJJ black belt, former MMA fighter, and the creator of Cut to the Bone on YouTube. He’s one of the few surgeons who truly understands combat athletes from both sides: fixing injuries in the OR and sustaining them personally on the mats.
Our conversation hit on everything I care about as a surgeon, athlete, and coach: injury patterns, recovery, sleep, ego, and what keeps people on (or off) the mats long term.
Here’s what stood out.
Why So Many Doctors End Up in Jiu Jitsu
Lucius and I both laughed about this. Surgeons are drawn to jiu jitsu like moths to a flame.
Why? Because:
• we grew up as athletes
• we like solving problems with our hands
• we’re wired for pressure
• and combat sports give brutally honest feedback
Hand Injuries: What Surgeons See Most in Grapplers
As a hand and upper-extremity specialist, Lucius sees a predictable pattern:
Most common injuries in combat athletes:
• metacarpal fractures (“boxer’s fractures”)
• finger dislocations
• phalangeal fractures
• wrist sprains and TFCC injuries
• chronic tendon irritation
• ligament sprains from gripping the gi
In his words: “The forces going through those tiny finger bones are insane.”
Watch the episode for some practical tips for finger injuries!
Why Some MRIs Don’t Match the Injury
As you all know from my previous posts, MRI is near and dear to my heart.
Surgeons who train jiu jitsu understand that:
• athletes often look worse on MRI than their symptoms
• not all tears cause pain
• “findings” don’t equal “problems”
• and most finger, wrist, and shoulder tears don’t need surgery
Lucius emphasized what I always teach: Treat the patient, not the MRI.
When Surgeons Become Patients
Lucius tells the story of tearing his pec in a scramble… and instantly knowing what happened.
The hardest part wasn’t the pain. It was:
• the ego hit
• the fear of losing progress
• the forced time away
• the reality of a long rehab
• confronting neglected stress and lifestyle habits
Any athlete who’s been injured knows this feeling.
Recovery: What Every Athlete Gets Wrong
When I asked him what he’d tell the 20-year-old version of himself, his answer was fast:
Recovery matters more than hustle. Check the full episode for all of Lucius’ top recovery mistakes.
At our UFC course earlier this year, he asked Chuck Liddell the same question… and Chuck said the same thing: “I wish I learned how to recover.”
Sleep Is Non-Negotiable
Lucius is certified in lifestyle medicine, and I loved how he framed it:
Sleep isn’t optional.
Sleep isn’t a luxury.
Sleep is a performance tool.
Training Over 40: Longevity Requires Ego Control
Combat sports are not young-person-only sports. You can absolutely train into your 40s, 50s, 60s, even 70s. But the approach must change.
Lucius said it best: “Ego is the enemy. Especially after 40.”
Key shifts for longevity are in our full episode!
My Favorite Moment From the Episode
We talked about why combat athletes struggle after big injuries. Healing is physical, yes… but, it’s also deeply psychological. As surgeons who train, we see this firsthand.
Final Thoughts
This conversation reminded me why I started this podcast in the first place.
Combat sports athletes deserve clinicians who understand their world.
If you train long enough, you will get hurt.
If you recover well, you’ll stay in the sport longer.
And if you manage your sleep, your nutrition, your ego, and your awareness… you might outlast athletes with twice the skill.
The full episode is up now. It’s worth your time — especially if you’re a grappler over 30.
____
Dr. Megan Lisset Jimenez
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