Inspiration: Kobe Bryant and Michael Crabtree return from Achilles Ruptures
Last night was Kobe Bryant’s first game back after rupturing his achilles 8 months ago. I’m not a big Lakers or Kobe fan. I do respect his skill, work ethic and determination though.
While watching the Warriors play the Lakers on April 12th, I saw Kobe get his body low and try to explode around a defender. He pushed off with his left foot and his face immediately showed the pain he was in. When he took a step and tried to put weight on that same left foot he went to the ground holding his achilles. In the replay you can see his left foot in a ridiculous dorsiflexion position when he pushed off. I really didn’t know anything about achilles tendon ruptures at that point, so I didn’t really feel for him as much as I do now.
This is similar to how I ruptured my achilles. I had just rounded first base and lowered my body to get in position to sprint to second base. As I pushed off to begin my sprint, my left achilles popped.
Another pro-athlete made his return from an achilles rupture recently.
Last week, San Francisco 49ers wide-receiver Michael Crabtree had his first start since rupturing his achilles May 22nd. I had to go to that game. I was 5 weeks post-op and full weight bearing in my VacoCast. Crabtree caught a 20 yard pass then ran for 40 yards with a clear path to the end zone until two defensive backs caught up to him.
Would he have scored if he wasn’t fresh off an achilles injury? I don’t know, maybe. But he had the biggest grin on his face afterwards. That was the moment he was waiting and training for over the past 6-months of rehab work.
I’m sure everyone who is coming back or who has come back from an achilles rupture has had their breakthrough moment.
What was yours?
6:58 pm - 12-9-2013
Nice! I have seen a few vids of Kobe in practice, and he is looking good. I think he is scheduled for a comeback either this, or next week, correct? I also checked out Crabtree as well, and he looked great.
Lastly, I’ve also seen a few post here from younger athletes who are looking for a quick recovery, and this will surely give them (as well as myself), inspiration.
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Ron
1:30 am - 12-11-2013
I think I had two with this ATR (my 2nd): First at 17 weeks post-non-op, when I had a blast skiing a week at Whistler, then almost 2 years later, when I’d recovered enough from my subsequent heart-valve-reacement surgery to return to competitive volleyball. I loved breaking the promise I’d made to my cardiac rehab nurse (a volleyball player herself), that I would NOT play any 2-on-2 (beach) volleyball on my first day out. It was a blast and a breakthrough — though I was thinking more of my ticker than my spring.
2:46 pm - 12-11-2013
That’s awesome Norm. I can’t wait to have that feeling.
4:01 pm - 12-11-2013
Thanks for the post! As both a Lakers and Niners fan, seeing these guys come back to elite-level competition is inspiring.
8:56 pm - 12-11-2013
Hi Alan,
Kobe looked better in his second game back… I’m sure he’ll only get better with more time on the court.
I’m off to the winter classic leafs vs red wings on New Years at the big house @ michigan. Any tips on how to stay comfortable in a tight stadium seat for 3+ hours? On that day I’ll be exactly 5 weeks post op.
8:46 pm - 12-30-2013
I haven’t been on the site for a while and just saw this post. I too, watched Kobe and his recovery. I was almost a full month after him so I always checked out what he was doing. I thought that 8 months was a little too quick, as did my athletic trainer but he seemed to be doing alright, except the turnover problem. Then I went in to see my trainer one day and he told me Kobe got hurt again, a fracture somewhere in his left knee. I gotta believe it had something to do with the Achilles. I’m doing plyometrics now and have to really remind myself to get the technique down right. When I started jogging, I’d land with almost a stiff, locked knee on my bad leg on the first step. Not a Kobe fan, but I do hope he can come back. By the way, I tore my left Achilles almost the exact same way you did, coming around first….although it was my 10 year old son’s little league practice. I had forgotten about Crabtree doing his. I’ll have to check in on him as well.
Happy healing!
11:44 am - 7-18-2016
Any updates???