From Basketball Crossover to Ruptured Achilles Tendon
I am thirty-nine years old with a sports injury. Diagnosis: Ruptured Achilles Tendon. I thought long gone were my days of ace bandages and ice, but I was wrong. I tore my anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and shattered cartilage in my left knee playing basketball twenty-two years ago, and after successfully recovering, I’ve lived an active lifestyle. I never imagined that another basketball injury would once again put me on the sideline, but here I am. I am sharing my injury and recovery story to encourage other people who experience sports injuries.
Sports Mom
My son and daughter are very active in sports. My son is twelve and loves to run cross-country and my daughter is eight and loves to play basketball and softball. There are many benefits of youth sports participation, so I encourage them to be active.
This year, suddenly, my son has shown interest in learning to play basketball. I haven’t told him my joy about his interest, but I did let him know that I would teach him how to play since he wants to learn. I love to watch basketball, coach basketball, and play basketball, but it is not my desire to live my dreams through my children. My kids learn and explore things that interest them, but basketball, BASKETBALL!!!
When my son asked me to buy him a basketball, we went to the store that day, I bought him a basketball, and we came home where we worked on basic defense, ball handling drills, under-the-basket shots, dribbling, and passing. (I might have done too much in one day, but he didn’t mind.)
For the next month, I trained him. A few days ago, my kids were out of school, so I decided to take them to the gym to teach my son and daughter a little more about the game. About an hour into our session, my son and I decided to play one-on-one, and with one smooth crossover move, I felt and heard my right Achilles tendon “pop”! I knew immediately what happened.
From Crossover to Ruptured Achilles Tendon
I found the strength to make it to the sideline. I told my son to go find a staff member to bring me some ice. After about ten minutes, they helped me to the car and I drove. I had no idea that I couldn’t lift my right foot, so I had to use my left foot to press the brake. Thank goodness we live close to the gym!
I called my husband and he suggested I call the orthopedic doctor, and he immediately left work to care for me and take me to the doctor. The doctor saw me right away and confirmed what I already, “Ruptured Achilles.” She scheduled surgery a few days later. There is a small window between a ruptured Achilles and scar tissue forming, that’s why surgery was scheduled right away. Kobe Bryant had surgery a day after he ruptured his Achilles. Kevin Durant’s surgery was two days after his injury. Breanna Stewart’s surgery happened four days after her injury. My surgery happened four days after my injury.
A day after surgery, I coached my 7-8-year-old basketball team, sat in our car and supported my son in a 5k, and then crashed. I might have pushed myself a little too hard!
Now here I am, three days after surgery, thinking of ways to get back up and going, but I will recover first.
