In March of 2015, NBA player Wesley Mathews ruptured his left achilles tendon at the age of 29 while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. He will attempt a comeback with the Dallas Mavericks around the end of this year when the new NBA season starts. For more on this story, read an excellent summary appropriately titled “After the Rupture.“
Terrell Suggs Ruptures Achilles Tendon Yet Again
Baltimore Ravens football linebacker Terrell Suggs ruptured his right achilles tendon in 2012 while playing basketball. Miraculously, he came back from injury in just five months and six days after surgery (Mr. Suggs said that his injury was a bit higher up than most achilles tendon injuries, which often mean faster recovery). Besides his fast recovery, Mr. Suggs surprised many with very good 2013 and 2014 seasons. Terrell Suggs leads the Baltimore Ravens in all-time sacks, and is a 6 time Prop Bowl selection (including in 2013 after coming back from injury). He was also the NFL defensive player of the year in 2011.
Unfortunately, a few days ago Mr. Suggs ruptured his left achilles tendon. It is rare for me to feel sympathetic towards a multimillionaire athlete, but I am feeling sorry for Mr. Suggs and his second bout with misfortune. At his current age of almost 33, it is quite likely that his career is over.
Khari Jones and Others opt for Non-Surgical Treatment of Achilles Tendon Ruptures
A recent article from Canada about B.C. Lions’ linebacker Solomon Elimimian’s achilles tendon rupture has some interesting positive comments about non-surgical conservative repair of achilles tendon ruptures. Although Elimimian is opting for the surgical route, the article states that the B.C. Lions’ receivers coach Khari Jones suffered the same injury several weeks ago while skipping rope, and decided to go the non-surgical route.
The article also mentions fellow Canadian footballer Brady Browne and his successful non-surgical treatment, as shown in his extensive video documentation. Interestingly, the article has the following stats:
Either way, in most cases, there’s not much difference between operative and non-operative. It’s just a percentage kind of thing — 93 per cent versus 98 per cent. Lots of people go non-operative now.
I had never read such a statistic before, but it makes sense. They are basically saying that surgery leads to an athlete getting back to 98 percent of pre-injury strength and flexibility levels, while non-surgical treatment leads to a 93 percent return to fitness. Great to hear that lots of people are now choosing non-operative treatment of achilles tendon ruptures.