Achilles Injuries: Impact, Recovery, and How to Prevent them.

This past week in a matchup against the division rival Packers, Vikings quarterback suffered a brutal injury in the 4th quarter. It looked like Cousins landed weirdly on his leg, and it was later reported that he tore his achilles tendon ending his season. In this article we will dive into achilles injuries and explain why they are so common, yet terrible. Also, I'll discuss methods of prevention, and talk about what this means for both Kirk Cousins as he recovers, and the Vikings as they look for a playoff berth without their main man at the helm.

(Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine)

First let's talk about what exactly the achilles tendon actually is. The Achilles tendon is like the body's super strong rubber band at the back of your ankle. It connects the muscles in your calf to your heel bone, letting you push off the ground when you walk, run, or jump. It's super important for all kinds of movements involving your feet and legs, but it's also prone to problems like Achilles tendonitis or tears if it gets overstressed or injured.

Injuries to the Achilles tendon are pretty common among athletes, especially football players. The Achilles tendon can get strained, torn, or inflamed, which can be a big deal because it's essential for running, jumping, and quick movements. Football players often experience these injuries due to the sudden starts, stops, and changes in direction, putting a lot of stress on the Achilles tendon. Sometimes, it's also because of not warming up properly or having quick bursts of intense activity, making the tendon more prone to getting hurt. This stresses the importance of stretching and recovering. For young athletes, it is essential to stretch and properly recover to avoid injuries that can build over time. Trust me, as someone who skipped stretching many times, it is not worth it.

Achilles tendon injuries usually come in two main types: Achilles Tendinitis and Achilles Tendon Rupture. Achilles tendinitis happens when the tendon becomes inflamed due to lots of use or constantly repeating movements. It makes your heel feel stiff and sore, and it's common in athletes who do a lot of running or jumping. On the other side, an Achilles tendon rupture is much more serious. It's like the tendon tears partially or completely, and you may experience a really sharp pain or even a pop in the back of your leg or ankle. Ruptures usually happen when you suddenly push off or make a quick turn. Dealing with these injuries needs different treatments, from chilling out and doing exercises for tendinitis to maybe needing surgery for a rupture.

(HSS)

In Kirk’s case, this was a non contact injury, where he took a weird step causing this injury. In an MRI, it was confirmed that he suffered a tear to his achilles.

Recovering from a torn Achilles tendon can be a bit of a journey. Usually, it involves a few different stages. At first, right after the injury, there might be a period of rest, maybe using a cast or a special boot to keep the foot from moving too much. Then, as things start to heal, physical therapy becomes a big part of the recovery. Exercises to stretch and strengthen the calf muscles and the tendon itself are essential. Over time, as the tendon gets stronger, gradually getting back to regular activities and sports is the goal. It can take several months to get back to normal, and sometimes even longer for full recovery.

Although this injury is very common, there are ways to prevent it.

Step 1: STRETCH! As I mentioned before stretching is vital to ensure the proper functionality of this tendon. Specific stretches include calf raises or runners stretch.

Step 2: Proper Footwear. This is often overlooked in athletes, but the proper sneakers can make all the difference. Choose shoes that provide good support and stability.

Step 3: Balance and Stability Training. Enhancing your balance and stability can help reduce the risk of sudden movements that strain the Achilles tendon. This can include exercises that focus on balance and core stability.

Step 4: Recovery. If you have had a previous Achilles injury, ensure it's fully rehabilitated before returning to high-impact activities. Make sure you stretch after you exercise, and use ice or heat to alleviate any pain.

(Lewiston Sentinel)

Now let's talk about what this means for the Vikings. This was a suffering blow to both the morale and success of this team. Despite a slow start to the season, and an injury from star receiver Justin Jefferson, the Vikings seemed to find a rhythm in the last few weeks, defeating the juggernaut 49ers. Kirk and the rookie wideout Jordan Addison built a great connection, and now that progress is worthless. Especially the fact that Minnesota doesn't have a very strong rushing attack, this is even more detrimental.

However, just a few hours ago, the Vikings made a trade for Cardinals QB Josh Dobbs. This is huge for the Vikings, and it was a great move in my opinion. When I first saw the news about Cousins, I was sure the playoff hopes were squashed, as the backup QB was a unexperienced rookie. No hate towards, Jaren Hall, but he still needs time to develop. With JJetas return date coming soon, and Addisons recent success, Josh Dobbs is finding himself in a pretty good situation, decently better than in Arizona. Dobbs has played pretty solid this year, exceeding the expectations and doubts. With Dobbs at the helm, the playoff hopes for this team are still alive, and it will be exciting to see how they Vikings finish the season.