It has always been very apparent to humankind that the
Achilles heel is a serious physiological blind spot – so much so that the
Greeks decided to centre a myth around this all-too-human-inadequacy. Our
anatomic weakness becomes very apparent in games like basketball which require
frequent sliding, stop-starting, and sudden twists. That’s why it is not
surprising that every year the emergency department, doctors’ offices, and
local clinics treat 355’130 basketball ankle related injuries. Whether you’re
defending, blitzing, or chasing a rebound – your Achilles is always at risk of
letting you down, and potentially ruining your career for the foreseeable
future. This week, we want to show you some top tips to prevent this from
happening.
Maintaining a healthy weight during the off-season will
allow you to jump back into basketball seamlessly. You won’t have to blow off
any cobwebs upon restarting your season, your coordination will still be spot
on, and if you do make a mistake then you will not be punished by carrying
excess weight. The Achilles is extremely weak, and one slip up could mean the
end of the line for you this season.
You can also avoid damaging your Achilles by preparing
yourself before a game with stretches, running, jumping jacks, cycling and long-term
flexibility training. Always warm up and stretch before you play – especially
in colder months if playing outdoors to avoid stiffening up.
You can significantly reduce the risk of damaging your
Achilles tendon by ensuring you have appropriate equipment. Generally, the most
important piece of equipment are your shoes as a good pair can save you a trip
to the hospital whereas an inappropriate pair could land you in all sorts of
trouble. Basketball shoes that fit, have no skid soles, and offer support to
your ankles reduce the odds of you damaging your ankle.
You can further increase the odds to your Achilles
surviving a rough game by using ankle braces or tape to stabilize the region.
Finally, ensure your technique is correct and your
understanding of the intricacies of the game is finessed when playing.
Technique improves your coordination and self-control meaning you will be less
of a danger to yourself. Imagine landing a 3 pointer then twisting your ankle
when landing. And understanding the game means you play your assigned position
and therefore control the area around you. Listen to your coach’s advice and
learn the game. Understanding your role better allows you to better avoid
collision and injury from illegal or unexpected contact.
If you have recently damaged your Achilles tendon and
would like to speak to one of our physicians about it, please contact our
switchboard at (212) 241-6321
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