Federica Brignone works at Juventus’ J-Medical as a physiotherapist.

Federica Brignone, Italy’s reigning overall World Cup alpine ski champion, has embarked on a critical phase of her recovery journey at J‑Medical, Juventus Football Club’s cutting‑edge sports medicine and rehabilitation centre in Turin. After shattering the tibial plateau and fibular head and tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a giant slalom crash on April 3, 2025, at the Italian National Championships in Val di Fassa, Brignone was flown by helicopter to Trento and then transferred to Milan for emergency surgery before being discharged to begin physiotherapy at J‑Medical on April 17, 2025 . The decision to undergo rehabilitation at J‑Medical aligns her with an elite roster of athletes—including tennis star Jannik Sinner and football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Miralem Pjanić—who have leveraged the centre’s multidisciplinary expertise, state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic tools, and dedicated rehabilitation zones to accelerate return to peak performance . With the Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics on the horizon (February 6–26, 2026), Brignone’s meticulous recovery plan at J‑Medical represents both a personal mission to reclaim her form and a testament to the centre’s role at the intersection of professional sports and community healthcare.

The Incident That Changed Everything

On April 3, 2025, during the second run of the Italian National Championships giant slalom in Val di Fassa, Federica Brignone suffered a catastrophic crash that resulted in a comminuted fracture of the tibial plateau and the fibular head, as well as a complete tear of the ACL in her left knee . She was immediately airlifted to a hospital in Trento and underwent complex reconstructive surgery at the La Madonnina Clinic in Milan, where surgeons stabilized multiple fractures and planned staged intervention for the ligament injury . Brignone’s initial goal, as she told reporters, was simply to walk again before contemplating a return to skiing—acknowledging that full rehabilitation would take at least four to five months under optimal conditions .

Medical Perspectives and Early Rehabilitation

According to Andrea Panzeri, medical chief of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, a minimum of 45 days is required before a definitive timeline for Brignone’s full recovery can be established, particularly given the complexity of her injuries and the need for ligament reassessment . In the immediate postoperative period, Brignone posted on Instagram to thank the rescue teams, surgical staff in Trento, and the medical team at La Madonnina Clinic for their swift and comprehensive care, demonstrating her characteristic positivity despite the severity of her situation .

Why J‑Medical? Juventus’ Vision for Integrated Care

J‑Medical, officially inaugurated on March 23, 2016, is the result of a strategic partnership between Juventus Football Club and Santa Clara Group, designed to offer world‑class medical and rehabilitative services to both professional athletes and the general public . Located in the east stand of the Allianz Stadium adjacent to the J‑Museum, the 3,500 m² facility integrates specialist clinics, two outpatient surgery theatres, diagnostic laboratories, and dedicated rehabilitation zones—all under one roof . The centre was conceived to place the patient at the heart of care, delivering the same standards afforded to Juventus players to every visitor, whether elite sportspeople or community members seeking preventive, diagnostic, or therapeutic services .

Facilities Tailored to High‑Performance and Holistic Recovery

– Rehabilitation Complex: Four specialized areas—including two gyms for land‑based therapy, a hydrotherapy pool for aquatic rehabilitation, and an external athletic field for re‑athletization—allow for graduated exercise protocols customized to each athlete’s phase of recovery .
– Diagnostic and Surgical Suites: Equipped with cutting‑edge imaging and functional assessment tools through a partnership with General Electric, J‑Medical ensures accurate, timely diagnoses and supports minimally invasive outpatient procedures .
– Specialist Clinics: The centre hosts 19 polyclinics covering orthopaedics, sports medicine, physiotherapy, and legal medicine, staffed by a multidisciplinary team of 39 highly qualified professionals trained in athlete‑centered protocols .

A Hub for Both Professionals and the Public

While J‑Medical serves as Juventus’ in‑house medical hub—conducting routine player health assessments, pre‑transfer medicals (e.g., Miralem Pjanić’s pre‑signing examination in June 2016), and match‑day readiness checks—it simultaneously operates as a private medical centre accessible to the local community . This dual‑model approach exemplifies Juventus’ commitment to social responsibility, maximizing facility utilization and extending professional‑grade healthcare resources to non‑athletes .

Federica Brignone’s Rehabilitation Protocol at J‑Medical

Upon arrival at J‑Medical on April 17, 2025, Brignone commenced the initial stage of her physiotherapy regimen, focused on unloading the injured joint to facilitate bone healing and reduce inflammation before progressing to weight‑bearing exercises . The first phase emphasizes passive and assisted mobilization to preserve joint range of motion without compromising surgical repairs . Over subsequent weeks, she will transition to active strengthening and proprioceptive training, leveraging the centre’s aquatic therapy pool to perform low‑impact exercises that mitigate stress on the knee while gradually rebuilding muscular support .

Multidisciplinary Oversight and Performance Analytics

Brignone’s care team includes orthopaedic surgeons, sports physicians, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, and performance analysts who use motion‑capture and biomechanical assessment technologies to tailor her rehabilitation milestones . Regular imaging follow‑ups will monitor bone consolidation and ligament healing, informing incremental adjustments to her exercise load and progression criteria .

The Broader Impact: J‑Medical as a Model of Sports Medicine Excellence

J‑Medical stands out among European sports medicine centres for its integrated model that blends elite athlete support with community health services . By consolidating diagnostic, surgical, and rehabilitative functions within a single complex, Juventus has created a replicable framework for clubs and healthcare providers seeking to optimize athlete welfare and public health outreach .

Other High‑Profile Users of J‑Medical

– Jannik Sinner chose J‑Medical for post‑surgical hip rehabilitation in 2024, benefitting from tailored protocols that facilitated his return to the ATP Tour .
– Cristiano Ronaldo and other first‑team stars routinely undergo injury prevention screenings and treatment at the centre, underscoring its status as Juventus’ primary in‑house medical facility .
– Miralem Pjanić completed his transfer medical here in June 2016, marking the centre’s role in pivotal club operations beyond rehabilitation .

Looking Forward: Road to Milan‑Cortina 2026

With Brignone’s sights set on competing at the Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics in February 2026, her J‑Medical rehabilitation plan is designed to achieve full functional recovery by early 2026, pending favorable healing of her ACL . The stepped progression—from joint unloading to weight‑bearing and eventual on‑snow drills—will be calibrated to align with Try‑and‑Play tests scheduled six months out from the Games, ensuring that she returns to competition at her signature blend of technical precision and attack .

Conclusion

Federica Brignone’s partnership with J‑Medical exemplifies modern sports medicine’s evolution toward holistic, multidisciplinary care that bridges elite athletic performance and community health. As she navigates the arduous path from wheelchair to World Cup start gate, Brignone benefits from Juventus’ visionary medical infrastructure, specialized expertise, and the unwavering support of a facility that treats every patient—whether Bianconeri star or local resident—as a champion. Her journey at J‑Medical not only charts a personal comeback but also highlights a model of integrated healthcare that many clubs and institutions will aim to emulate in the years ahead.