Tatum surgeon has been in charge of KD surgery, and the recovery period may be faster than expected

When Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the first round of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers on April 27, people have not recovered from shock, and Boston Celtics forward Jason Tatum suffered the same doom in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on May 12. The star, whose right leg was completely unloaded, was pushed out of the stadium by a wheelchair and had a painful expression on his face. He knew more than anyone else about the meaning of the sound.

Achilles tendon rupture has unique identification characteristics. At the moment when the sudden break sounded, athletes often subconsciously looked back to see if they were hit, and then realized the seriousness of the situation. Most injured people will lose their ability to walk immediately. If they forcefully try, they will have a weird synchronicity like a "pigpies" because they cannot push the ground.

As a key structure connecting the gastrocnemius muscle to the heel, the Achilles tendon transmits the energy generated by the contraction of the calf to the foot. From daily walking to dunking, NBA athletes' Achilles tendons bear much more than ordinary people: repeated jumps, rapid change of direction, turning and pushing the ground, etc., so that the tendons cycle between stretching and contracting. This high-intensity stress can both cause acute inflammation and may also lead to chronic lesions in the tendon structure.

Tatum's injury process is a textbook case: when the step back is formed into a lunge posture, the Achilles tendon on the back leg is stretched out and then it instantly collapses when the force is exerted on the ground. This transition node from extreme elongation to rapid contraction is the most vulnerable moment for the tendon.

For professional athletes, surgical repair is the standard treatment plan. Although some people were surprised that Tatum completed the surgery within 24 hours after his injury, a 2020 study by the journal Knee Surgery, Sports Trauma and Arthroscopy confirmed that the implementation of repair within 48 hours can significantly improve biomechanical and histological prognosis. Although the timing of the operation is restricted by multiple factors, the consensus in the sports medicine community is that the earlier the surgery is, the more conducive to tendon healing.

In the early stage of postoperative surgery, Tatum will receive short-term gypsum fixation to repair the site. After the fixture is removed, early controllable activities will be launched immediately. It is necessary to maintain the mobility of the ankle joint and avoid excessive pulling - just as an overstretched rubber ring will lose its elasticity, the ductility of the Achilles tendon repair site directly affects functional recovery.

The rehabilitation process includes progressive weight-bearing training, transition from protective gear to conventional sneakers, and gradual recovery of running, jumping and changing direction skills. In addition, psychological reconstruction is also key: this serious injury that instantly destroys athletic ability often makes athletes doubt whether they can return to the top. Even though he successfully made a comeback, most people admitted that they did not fully recover their explosive power until the second season.

27-year-old Tatum has age advantages and health history, and with top foot and ankle surgeon Martin O'Malley (who once performed Achilles tendon repair for Kevin Durant), these factors have improved his recovery expectations. The experiences of the following three stars are particularly worth referring to:

Kobe Bryant (34 years old when he was injured in 2013): He returned in April and lost his peak explosive power, but he remained competitive before the season was reimbursed due to a shoulder injury the following year, and finally completed his curtain call in the 2015-16 season.

Klay Thompson (30 years old when he was injured in 2020): After experiencing anterior cruciate ligament torn, he suffered another rupture of the Achilles tendon on the eve of his comeback. Efficiency declined when he returned in the mid-2021-22 season, but the following year set a career high in three-point shooting and rebounding.

Kevin Durant (30 years old when he was injured in 2019): After being injured during the Finals, he signed with the Nets and went through an 18-month recovery period. After returning from the 2020-21 season, he averaged 26.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 53.7% - using his actions to prove that players over 30 years old can still return to their peak.

These cases reveal different trajectories after Achilles tendon repair: Durant proves the importance of adequate rest, Thompson shows tenacity after a second serious injury, and Kobe highlights the limitations of age on recovery. For Tatum, who is in his prime, the efficiency of the medical team, personal willpower and scientific rehabilitation plan will jointly determine whether he can continue his superstar chapter.

It is worth mentioning that NBA players need an average of 10 months to return, and the specific duration is affected by healing conditions, physical fitness recovery and season cycle. In a show, famous reporter MarcSpears revealed that Tatum's father was optimistic about Tatum's recovery from injury: "Tatum's father told me that Tatum's absence may be 8-9 months." In other words, Tatum has the possibility of returning to the field next season.

(text/mango)