Category Archives: Achilles/Patellar/Quadricep

Achilles Rupture, Achilles/Patellar/Quadricep, All Blogs, Basketball, Tendon Rupture

Kevin Durant Achilles Rupture

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On June 10, Kevin Durant ruptured his right Achilles tendon during the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The injury came after Durant missing nine playoff games due to a strained calf on the same leg from May 8. He underwent surgery on June 12. Durant was cleared by the team’s medical staff to play Game 5. According to Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, the team did not believe it was putting Durant at risk for further injury.

Courtesy of Mayo Clinic

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. It is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. Blood flow through the tendon is poor, which may make the tendon susceptible to tearing and also slow its healing. Achilles tendon injuries often occur following an abrupt increase in activity or intensity, such as a return to competition after weeks of not playing in Durant’s case.

There is speculation that what was diagnosed as a calf strain on May 8 might actually have been Achilles tendinopathy. The Warriors organization has not yet released a timetable for Durant’s return to play. Generally, eight months is the quickest recovery time among NBA players after an Achilles rupture. Durant’s teammate DeMarcus Cousins also had an Achilles tendon rupture in January 2018. Cousins needed almost an entire year to recover enough to return to play.

Achilles/Patellar/Quadricep, Basketball, strain

DeMarcus Cousins’ Tear of Left Quadriceps

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DeMarcus Cousins of the Golden State Warriors injured his left quad in Monday’s game against the LA Clippers. This was a non-contact injury. As Cousins pursued a loose ball, he fell to the floor. Cousins then signaled to be taken out of the game. He did not return.

An MRI Tuesday morning diagnosed a “torn left quadriceps muscle.” This is a strain. As is typical for the Sports Injury Blog, we find no utility in this MRI. If you strain your quad, you will not have or benefit from an MRI.

A partial tear of the quadriceps muscle heals with time. He will do stretching exercises. While it is safe to play, he will likely have too much pain and stiffness to be effective. It is reported that he will be out for the remainder of the playoffs.

Achilles Rupture, Achilles/Patellar/Quadricep, All Blogs, Ankle/Foot, Basketball, Tendon Rupture

John Wall Achilles Rupture

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The Washington Wizard’s point guard John Wall recently underwent surgery for heel pain from Achilles tendinopathy. Media reports described the planned surgery as addressing Haglund deformity. This is a discretionary surgery to attempt to improve symptoms. Details on the medical aspects of Achilles tendinopathy were addressed in a prior post here.

The surgery to remove the Haglund deformity removes bone at the insertion of the Achilles tendon. This weakens the attachment point and creates a risk of detachment.

A month after the surgery, it was reported that Wall detached his Achilles at the surgery site. Reports indicate that the detachment was discovered during an operation to deal with an infection that accompanied the initial heel surgery. The skin in the heel area can have trouble healing and infection is a noted risk. The Achilles detachment was reported to have happened when Wall slipped and fell at his home, but detachment is one of the risks of this surgery. It is more likely with wound problems or infection.

This setback will keep Wall out of play for approximately 12 months per reports. For more information on achilles ruptures click here.