05/02/2013    

PODIATRISTS AND SPORTS MEDICINE

Laker Basketball Star's Injury May Have Been Preventable: TX Podiatrist 

San Antonio sports podiatrist Dr. Ed Davis, a South Texas podiatrist stated today that the injury Kobe Bryant received to his Achilles tendon may have been a preventable injury. Dr. Davis explains, "It is important for athletes to take preventative measures to prevent Achilles injuries. A tight Achilles tendon is easier to tear than one that is not. Proper stretching techniques can loosen most tight tendons but there are a number of athletes that have short heel cords that may require more aggressive treatment with manual therapy or more advanced biomechanical intervention."

Dr. Ed Davis

It is possible, according to Dr. Davis, that if proper precautions were not taken with Bryant's Achilles tendon, then that may have led to the injury that sidelined him during the Lakers playoff run. "Chronic or recurrent Achilles pain may indicate that there is an issue requiring professional evaluation. Always avoid use of cortisone injections to the Achilles tendon as even a single injection to that tendon has been shown to significantly increase the chance of a tear," said Dr. Davis.

Source: Wall Street Journal [4/30/13]