Achilles Tendon Injury is Keeping Tiger Woods Out of the Game

Golf superstar Tiger Woods had to drop out of the Players Championships this week after only playing the first nine holes of his first round. The reason: an injured left knee and Achilles tendon. This is not the first time Tiger has dealt with an Achilles tendon injury and has undergone several knee surgeries in the past.

Achilles tendon injuries are prevalent in serious golfers. This is because of the amount of walking on uneven terrain, the unusual positions some golfers have to get into to hit the ball and the pivoting involved with the golf swing. The injury happened for Tiger in a tournament a few weeks earlier when he was crouching to get a shot in the rough.

Achilles tendon injuries are frustrating and difficult to heal. They are sometimes responsive to oral anti-inflammatory medications, but not always. The typical "go to" method of treating sports injuries, the cortisone injection, can never be used in and around the Achilles tendon. Because of a section of poor circulation around the insertion of the Achilles tendon, cortisone could cause it to rupture, which is devastating.  Other means of healing Achilles tendinitis, is immobilization, custom orthotics to address the mechanics and lessen the pull on the tendon, physical therapy, and night splints. Newer technologies, such as Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy, have been proven to break up the inflammation and eliminate the Achilles tendon issue.

The most frustrating part of an Achilles tendon injury is the waiting. Unfortunately for Tiger, the only way he will be able to return to the top of his game is to fully rehabilitate his Achilles tendon to ensure it is back to full function. If you are suffering with an Achilles tendon injury, don't wait for it to go away on its own. Contact your Houston podiatrist for an appointment.