Is Shaq’s 3 Month Achillies Recover Normal?

At 39 years old, Shaquille O’Neal has had quite the basketball career. This year, he has fallen on hard times. In February he suffered an achillies tendon injury and in April only 2 quarters after returning to the game, he goes out with a calf muscle injury. Is this the beginning of the end for the famous Shaq? Three months after the original injury and the Celtics are still Shaq-less.

The Achillies tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body and attaches the calf muscles to the heel. There are a few different achillies tendon injuries. First, the most minor injury is tendonitis. This is typically the result of overuse. Basketball players are extremely susceptible to such injuries since they frequently push off and jump off their toes. Thus, there Achillies is much over used. An achillies tendon can also become torn or completely ruptured. This is another injury commonly seen in basketball. This occurs when one pushes off or contact is made with an already contracted muscle. The tendon will tear in the weakest spot and if the force is strong enough, the tendon will completely rupture.

Since the achillies is the largest and the strongest tendon, it is also the hardest tendon to heal after an injury. Even tendonitis, the most minor achillies injury can sometimes lead to surgery! Statistics show that over 25% of all those with chronic achillies tendonitis go on to have surgery. For acute injuries, rest is the key. For low grade tendonitis, a 1-2 week rest is recommended. For higher grade injuries, a month of rest in needed for recovery. After the rest period, a slow progression back to your activities in recommended. Relative rest does not mean a break from all physical activity, but rather cease in activities that have high impact on the achillies and supplementing activities with appropriate bracing. Depending on the degree of injury will determine the level of rest needed for repair. Achillies tendon tears or ruptures often need surgical repair or a series of casting.

It is most typical for achillies tendon injuries to occur in men in their 40s. Weekend warriors commonly injure their achillies when they pick up a game of basketball after weeks, months or years of a less active lifestyle. Unfortunately, the recovery time with achillies tendon injuries is very cumbersome. Many spend a length of time in casts or in walking boots. A change of activities is necessary. This drives many crazy and anxious to get back to their activities. Many often rush the recovery and what was originally an acute tendonitis or a partial tear becomes a chronic problem.

Shaq is the oldest player in the NBA and may be now considering retirement. Achillies tendon injuries cripple a player’s season and for Shaq being near the end of his career, this may be the injury that fades him out of the basketball scene.