What is an Achilles tear? Breaking down the injury that ended Aaron Rodgers' season
The excitement about Aaron Rodgers' debut with the New York Jets was short-lived Monday when he injured his Achilles during his first drive of the night. On Tuesday, reports said the injury was a torn Achilles and he was out for the season.
The four-time MVP, 39, suffered the injury on a sack. He was slow to get up and walked off the field with the help of athletic trainers. Initial reports said he hurt his ankle and, after the Monday Night Football broadcast showed him in the locker room with a walking boot, onlookers knew it was bad.
History has shown that an Achilles injury means significant time out. Several sports stars have had to recover from the injury. Some have come back. Some haven't.
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What is an Achilles tear?
The Achilles is the tendon that goes up the back of the ankle and connects the foot to the leg. It runs from the heel bone to the bottom of the calf muscle. It directs movement from the leg to the foot, including pointing and flexing.
The connective tissue can be torn partially or completely with a misstep or with a sudden movement like jumping. A torn Achilles creates a lot of pain and makes it difficult to walk.
Per the Mayo Clinic, the odds of injuring an Achilles increase with age. Most Achilles injuries happen between the ages of 30 and 40. Men are five times more likely to experience the injury than women.
The phrase "Achilles heel" comes from Greek mythology. When Achilles was a baby, the famous warrior was dipped into a river by his goddess mother to make him immortal. She held him by the heel, which was the one spot that wasn't touched by the water and therefore was vulnerable.
How do you repair an Achilles tear?
An Achilles tear sometimes requires surgery, but not always, according to the Mayo Clinic.
If the treatment plan means surgery, the doctor will cut into the bottom of the patient's leg and stitch the torn tendon together.
If a patient chooses not to have surgery, the tendon can be repaired with lots of rest and by avoiding putting weight on the injured foot. A patient would probably walk with crutches or a boot while the tendon heals.
The Mayo Clinic noted that most patients return to their previous level of activity "within four to six months" while complete recovery can take up to a year.
Which other athletes have suffered Achilles tears?
In addition to Rodgers, Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles in their Week 1 win against the Houston Texans.
Basketball is notorious for Achilles injuries. NBA icon Kobe Bryant tore his Achilles during a 2013 game against the Golden State Warriors. He famously limped back into the game and made two free throws. He had surgery and missed the playoffs, where the Lakers were swept in the first round by the San Antonio Spurs. The next season, he returned in December and played six games before missing the rest of the season with a knee injury. He returned for two more All-Star seasons before retiring in 2016.
Kevin Durant tore his Achilles in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals when the Warriors were facing the Toronto Raptors. He missed the entire next season before joining the Brooklyn Nets and going to the conference semifinals.
After winning the 2018 WNBA MVP award, Breanna Stewart missed the 2019 season due to a ruptured Achilles suffered in the EuroLeague championship. She returned in 2020 and was named Finals MVP for leading the Seattle Storm to their fourth title. She has had three All-Star seasons since.
Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas suffered an Achilles tear during a game against the Orlando Magic in 1994, a season in which he was plagued by injuries. He limped off the court in what would be his last NBA game. He had surgery and retired a month later.
Soccer superstar David Beckham tore his Achilles in 2010 while playing for Italian club AC Milan. He missed that year's World Cup while recovering and returned to the pitch that fall when he reunited with the MLS' Los Angeles Galaxy.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers injury: What is an Achilles tear?
