Achilles ruptures are an injury that we see in Basketball due to the high stress and load placed through the lower body. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. This injury is most commonly caused by sudden and forceful movements such as jumping, pivoting, or changing direction. An Achilles tendon rupture can be a serious injury that can severely limit an athlete's ability to play and participate in sports. However, with the help of a sports physiotherapist, athletes can recover from this injury and return to playing at their best.

Basketball players are at a higher risk of experiencing an Achilles tendon rupture due to the explosive and high-impact nature of the sport. Players who engage in activities that require frequent jumping, such as rebounding, dunking, or blocking shots, are particularly vulnerable to this type of injury. Symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture can include a sudden sharp pain in the back of the ankle or calf, swelling, and difficulty walking or standing on the affected leg.

At Hoops Physio, our sports physiotherapists can help athletes recover from Achilles tendon ruptures in several ways. The physiotherapist will conduct a thorough assessment of the athlete's injury, and then determine an individualised treatment plan, including both rehabilitation exercises and manual therapy. In some cases, surgery may also be recommended. Studies have shown that “early physiotherapy had significant improvements on a successful outcome post injury” (Doral, M. N., Bozkurt, M., Turhan, E., Dönmez, G., Demirel, M., Kaya, D., ... & Maffulli, N, 2010). Sports physiotherapists can provide advice on injury prevention and proper training techniques, as well as develop a plan for returning to basketball and provide guidance on how to avoid future injuries. 

Prevention is always better than treatment when it comes to Achilles tendon ruptures. Basketball players can reduce their risk of experiencing this injury by wearing proper footwear that provides support and cushioning, warming up thoroughly before playing or practising, and gradually increasing their activity levels. Additionally, players should avoid overloading the tendon by taking regular breaks, and having rest days. 

An achilles tendon rupture is a significant setback for any basketball player. However, with the help of a sports physiotherapist, athletes can recover from this injury and return to playing at their best. At Hoops Physio, we pride ourselves on our ability to not only help our athletes (and non athletes) return to play, but with the access to Hoop City’s gym and court space, allow our patients to return to performance and achieve their full athletic potential. We aim to get all our patients back to a level better than pre-injury with the aim to prevent further injury. 

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