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Chauncey Billups will be forced to sit out the rest of the
NBA season with a torn Achilles tendon.
The injury came in Monday night’s game against the Orlando Magic, as
Billups’ Clippers went on to beat the Magic 107-102 in overtime. Billups, who is 35 years old, reports that he
had not previously had any pain in his Achilles tendon. The tear, however, was confirmed with MRI on
Tuesday. Billups will undergo surgery to
repair to torn tendon, and promises to return to the league.
Achillles tendon tears can often occur just like they have
to Chauncey Billups, with no real history of pain in the area. However, what is common in Achilles tendon
tears is that there is degenerative disease in the tendon that precedes the
tear. This degenerative disease is
usually appreciated in the operating room under direct visualization when the
tendon is repaired, even when the MRI reads the tendon as normal. This is because the changes can often be too
subtle to pick up MRI. The degenerative
condition is referred to as tendinosis of the Achilles tendon, and when there
is an acute incident of pain without a rupture, it is called tendinitis.
Surgical repair of Achilles tendon tears and ruptures
involves cleaning up the ends of the tendon and removing any scar tissue that
may be present in the tendon. A more
normal shape and appearance of the tendon is achieved using strong sutures to
and strength to the tendon as it heals.
Post-operatively, the patient is placed in a cast and remains non-weight
bearing for several weeks. Following
removal of the cast, aggressive physical therapy is initiated for
rehabilitation. The timeline for
complete healing of the surgical site is usually between three and six months,
and a return to full strength may come after complete healing has
occurred. In a professional athlete such
as Chauncey Billups’ case, this usually means the season ends early.
Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star, will certainly be missed
on the court. He is considered one of
the strongest leaders in the league, and has a way of boosting team morale both
on and off the court. He was picked up
by the Los Angeles Clippers from the New York Knicks, and has become a key role
in the team’s ascent to the top of the Western Conference. They are in serious contention for the
championship this year, in part due to Chauncey Billups. Hopefully he will be back on the sidelines
soon, his presence giving the Clippers motivation to win.
Central Florida Foot and Ankle Center, LLC.
101 6TH St. NW.
Winter Haven, Fl. 33881
863-299-4551
www.FLFootandAnkle.com
1 comment:
Great take on something we hear about often but don't always fully understand. You never hear of minor Achlles Tear, just season ending and career ending. As painful as the injury sounds, the long recovery is what I would find the toughest.
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