Kobe Bryant Tears Achilles: Ends Season

Kobe Bryant’s season ended in the blink of an eye after a routine move during a basketball game a few weeks ago. After receiving an MRI after his injury, his fear was made a reality: his Achilles tendon was torn and his season was over. After undergoing surgery, the Lakers announced he is expected to miss six to nine months of play for rehabilitation of his injury.

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and can withstand forces of over 1,000 pounds!  It is also the most commonly ruptured tendon in the body, most often from a sports injury.  People who are most at risk for an Achilles rupture are athletes, people of older age, people who have experienced previous injury or rupture to the tendon, or changes in activity, including strenuous training. Treatment for an Achilles rupture is usually surgical, with months of rehabilitation needed to strengthen the tendon again and gain normal range of motion.

After pushing off with his left foot to move past an opponent, Bryant fell to the court after feeling a “pop” as if someone had kicked him. Bryant stayed in the game long enough to complete his free throws after a foul was called on the play, but did not return to the game after contributing 34 total points that night. “I made a move I’ve made a million times and it popped”, said Bryant, calling this injury the most disappointing of his career by far.

If Bryant is able to return in six months he could potentially be able to participate in the Laker’s regular season opener in October. However, if his recovery takes the full nine months, he will be expected to return in January.

This not only happens to athletes, it is a debilitating injury in non-athletes.  If you ever experience pain in your Achilles tendon, be sure to set up an appointment right away with Dr. Purdy at The Foot Clinic.

Dr. Jon Purdy, DPM