$Unique_ID{BRK01857}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Achilles Tendon:  Injury and Prevention}
$Subject{tear torn Achilles tendon tendons injury injuries warn warning sign
signs sport sports rupture ruptured rupturing lower extremity extremities
weekend athlete athletes professional professionals heel bone bones calcaneus
tendinitis pain painful operation operations surgery surgeries cast casts
casting treatment rehabilitation muscle muscles rehabilitate antigravity
resistance warm-up stretch stretches stretching exercise exercises football}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Achilles Tendinitis*0006203.scf
Anatomy of the Ankle*0006602.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Achilles Tendon:  Injury and Prevention


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  Recently Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants suffered a torn
Achilles tendon while playing.  Can you tell me something about this injury?
Is it frequent, and are there any warning signs that could have warned Taylor
that something was brewing?  I coach a high school team, and would appreciate
any information you can provide me about this sports injury.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  Although a rupture of an Achilles tendon is the most common rupture
of a major tendon in the lower extremities of active people, it is still a
rather rare injury.  It is most common in weekend athletes trying to train too
hard during a day or two a week, and is rarest in the well-trained
professional athlete.
     The Achilles tendon is the broad tendon that attaches to the heel bone
(calcaneus) and is the strongest tendon in the body.  It is called into action
during standing, walking, running and leaping, and is most likely to rupture
when the athlete is fatigued, or when a sudden and abrupt action occurs.  Most
experts agree that there are no warning signs, although frequent episodes of
tendinitis can weaken the tendon and leave it more susceptible to injury.  Age
may also be a factor, and although Lawrence Taylor is no old man, he has seen
a great deal of action in his career, and had already stated that this was to
be his last year.
     Often a complete rupture is less painful than an incomplete tear.  The
athletes feel a shock, or thump, hear a popping sound, or feel as if they have
been kicked in the back of the leg, and suddenly there is a loss of strength
in the leg as the tendon separates.
     Although Taylor had surgery, this injury is sometimes treated
conservatively, merely with casting.  The surgery consists of suturing the two
ends of the ruptured tendon together, trying to provide a repaired tendon with
the same length as before.  This helps regain the same strength that was
available before the injury, while a lengthened tendon reduces the power the
calve muscles can apply to the foot.
     Generally the patient remains in a cast for 6 weeks, then starts a
process of gradual rehabilitation.  The muscles and tendon are conditioned for
another 6 weeks, then activity increased over 3 months.  To rehabilitate the
tendon, exercises of both antigravity and resistance types are used.  Even
with a rehabilitation session of 1 to 2 hours each day, it may be 6 to 12
months before full strength is regained.
     I have a few tips for a high school coach (and others) that may help
prevent this disabling injury.  The first line of defense is proper warm-up
and stretching exercises before any game or practice.  Preparatory exercises
that build strength and endurance are helpful.  Don't let your team members
play beyond their abilities or physical endurance, even when the pressure is
on.
     For older athletes, you will do best if you keep your weight down,
reducing the load on the tendon and muscles.  Make sure your foot gear is of
the proper type for your sport and the field surface.  Remember you can't get
a week's exercise in during a few hours on a Sunday, and you can't play the
game you used to, as the years progress.  Sports and exercise should always
be fun, and provide the activity that helps keep our bodies strong and
resilient, not the source of a painful, confining injury.  And we all wish
Lawrence Taylor a speedy and complete recovery.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.