All posts by Katharine Clement

Basketball, Knee

Zion Williamson Sprained Knee

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On Wednesday, February 20th, 2019, Duke’s superstar freshman suffered a right knee sprain thirty seconds into their game against rivals UNC. Dribbling the ball early in the game, Williamson planted his foot to change directions. His shoe panel ripped and his left foot popped free of his shoe. He immediately clutched his knee. Williamson did not return for the remainder of the game.

After the game, Blue Devils coach Mike Kryzewski stated Williamson sustained a “mild knee sprain,” but the knee was stable. What this means is this is likely an injury to the medial collateral ligament, a ligament that heals quickly on its own, rather than the anterior cruciate ligament, which doesn’t heal and usually leads to surgical reconstruction in an athlete that pivots (twists) a lot. A knee sprain is a partial or completed tear of a ligament. A ligament is a structure that connects and stabilizes two bones where they meet at a joint.

Treatments might include ice and modification of activity, limiting stress on the ligament but maintaining motion. Sometimes a brace is used for comfort.

Ankle/Foot, Basketball

Spurs Derrick White Plantar Fasciitis

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On February 4th, it was reported that San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White has plantar fasciitis in his foot. Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News made the announcement.

It is unclear when White started having symptoms. It was reported that he had an MRI, which revealed a left plantar fascia tear.

Plantar fasciitis is point tenderness over the posteromedial area of the sole of the foot. It is a change in the attachment point of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes. This change is not inflammation or injury. It tends to arise in healthy people in all walks of life between ages 35 and 65. It hurts for about a year on average and then disappears without a trace. Plantar fasciitis is also known as jogger’s heel or tennis heel. These titles serve to falsely label plantar fasciitis as activity related. There is no evidence that plantar fasciitis is related to activity or exposure. There is no need to limit activities when you have plantar fasciitis, but the pain may limit a player’s effectiveness.

A plantar fascia tear is both inflammation and a partial tear of the fascia. The pain experienced from a tear is often similar to the pain experienced by individuals with plantar fasciitis.

Derrick White has been out since the start of the Spurs’ rodeo road trip and it is unlikely that he will return before the All-Star break.

 

Achilles/Patellar/Quadricep, Football, Tendon Rupture

Sheldon Rankins Torn Achilles Tendon

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On January 13th, the New Orleans Saints faced off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a divisional playoff game at the Superdome. On the second defensive possession of the first quarter, Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins fell to the ground holding his left leg. Following an initial assessment by Saints medical trainers, Rankins was carted off the field. He did not return to the game.

It was later revealed that he had torn his Achilles tendon. He had an MRI. We often talk about overuse of MRI in professional athletes. There is some thought that knowing the exact location on MRI might direct treatment, but that is debatable. The problem is obvious on examination.

Rankins chose to have surgery to repair the torn Achilles a few days after the injury. It will be difficult for him to be ready in time for the start of the 2019 season.