Why a Torn Achilles Tendon is a Season-Ender for Many Athletes
The football season is over for New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers – just four plays into his first regular game of 2023. Rodgers sustained one of the worst sports injuries any athlete could endure: A complete tear of his Achilles tendon.
His tendon is torn in two.
But, he’s not alone. J.K. Dobbins of the Baltimore Ravens also suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his first NFL game of the season. The two men won’t be playing football anytime soon.
Achilles tendon injuries are serious for two main reasons:
- The Achilles is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the heel bone with the calf muscles. Its sheer size can be reason enough to expect a long healing process.
- By nature, tendons are not particularly vascular – they don’t have much blood flowing through them, so the healing process can be slow.
Surgical repair of a torn Achilles tendon
Our board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, Dr. Kenneth R. Wilhelm, says that, in many cases, a torn Achilles tendon will require surgical repair. Dr. Wilhelm will use the latest diagnostic tools to determine the extent of your injury and whether or not surgery is necessary.
The goal of any Achilles tendon surgery is to reconstruct the torn tendon, restoring it to its normal length and strength. Minimally invasive approaches are possible, depending on the severity of the injury.
Following surgery, our patients will need to rest for 1-2 weeks without weight bearing, then wear a special boot for several weeks. For complete tendon rehabilitation, we’ll most likely prescribe physical therapy. Full recovery from an Achilles tendon rupture can take up to one year.
Dobbins and Rodgers may be out for the season, but with proper care and follow-through with doctor-recommended treatments, they’re not gone for good. We’re here in Fairfax County to get you back in the game with expert care and treatment of Achilles tendon and other sports injuries. For an appointment with Dr. Wilhelm, call Clifton Foot & Ankle Center in Centreville, Virginia, at (703) 996-3000 or contact us online.
