Helena Frye
Achilles tendon injuries are a serious issue in basketball, with the potential to be career-ending. The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body, designed to stretch and absorb force when landing from a jump. Basketball players load their tendons aggressively, increasing the risk of injury. The fast and explosive nature of the sport means that the Achilles tendon is under constant tension, making it vulnerable to rupture, especially in fatigued or degenerated tendons. Recovery from an Achilles tendon injury can take anywhere from six months to a year, and many players never fully recover, with some never playing another game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of the injury | The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body, and it is under constant tension. |
| Severity | An Achilles tendon tear is considered one of the worst injuries in basketball and can sometimes be career-ending. |
| Frequency | While it is not one of the most frequent injuries in basketball, Achilles tendon ruptures are becoming more common. |
| Causes | Overuse, lack of recovery, and high-intensity movements in basketball can increase the risk of Achilles tendon injuries. |
| Risk factors | Bodily attrition, inadequate rest, and increased mileage before entering the NBA may contribute to a higher risk of Achilles injuries. |
| Recovery | Recovery from an Achilles tendon rupture can range from six months to a year or longer, and some players may never fully recover or return to the same level of performance. |
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What You'll Learn
The Achilles tendon is the strongest in the body
The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body, but it is also the most commonly ruptured. It is also the thickest tendon in the body and can support forces around four times a person's body weight. The tendon is constantly under tension and is designed to stretch and absorb force when an individual lands from a jump. It also provides power for push-off when taking a running step.
The Achilles tendon is made of two types of proteins: collagen and elastin. Collagen is the most common protein in the body, giving tendons their strength. Elastin is stretchy and helps tendons extend and bounce back to their original shape during movement. The Achilles tendon is composed mainly of type II fast-twitch fibres, and its elasticity allows for rapid propulsion.
The Achilles tendon is particularly susceptible to injury and is vulnerable to rupture, especially in fatigued or degenerated tendons. The tendon is under constant tension and is built for power and speed, which means it is always "wound up and stressed". When it ruptures, it is not a simple tear. The stresses that go through the tendon are probably the highest in the body, many times one's body weight, just from walking. When an individual is running and jumping, the tendon is subject to even greater stress.
Achilles tendon injuries are common in basketball, a sport that involves a lot of running and jumping. In basketball, Achilles tendon ruptures often occur when a player pushes or plants their foot behind their body to accelerate or change direction. This is known as a "negative step". The tendon contracts and lengthens, placing great stress on the muscle and making it vulnerable to rupture.
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Basketball players load their tendons aggressively
Basketball players are prone to Achilles tendon injuries, which are considered the worst injury a basketball player can suffer. The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. It is designed to stretch, absorb force when landing from a jump, and provide power for push-off when taking a running step.
The high intensity of basketball games and the aggressive loading of tendons by players increase the risk of Achilles tendon injuries. Basketball players often go from standing still to taking aggressive steps to speed run or take off, which can lead to tendon injuries. The higher the level of the athlete, the higher the expectation to perform and push through injury, creating an environment that may increase the risk of injury.
Additionally, overuse and lack of recovery time contribute to Achilles tendon injuries in basketball players. The constant tension and high loads placed on the Achilles tendon during explosive movements in basketball make it vulnerable to rupture, especially in fatigued or degenerated tendons.
To prevent Achilles tendon injuries, it is essential for basketball players to strengthen their calf muscles and tendons through targeted exercises. Rest and recovery are also crucial, as playing through injury and fatigue can increase the risk of tendon ruptures. By addressing these factors, players can reduce the risk of sustaining a devastating Achilles tendon injury, which can have long-lasting impacts on their basketball careers.
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Recovery can take six months to a year
An Achilles tendon tear is one of the most serious injuries a basketball player can suffer. It is the longest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone. The tendon is under constant tension and is designed to stretch and absorb force when an athlete lands from a jump.
Recovery from an Achilles tendon tear can take six months to a year. During this time, athletes will undergo arduous rehabilitation to regain their strength and mobility. Even after recovery, some athletes may never return to their previous level of performance. A 2013 medical study found that of 18 players who suffered major Achilles injuries over a 23-year span, seven players never returned to the league. Those who did return missed an average of 56 games and experienced a decline in their performance.
The lengthy recovery period for an Achilles tendon tear can significantly impact an athlete's career. The injury may result in a prolonged absence from competition, potentially causing a decline in performance upon their return. The rehabilitation process is challenging, and athletes may struggle to regain their pre-injury form.
Some athletes have shared their experiences with Achilles tendon tears and their road to recovery. Kevin Durant, for example, missed the entire 2019-2020 season after suffering an Achilles injury and did not return until December 2020. It took him around 700 days to feel like himself on the court again. Kobe Bryant ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2013 and returned to the court in just eight months. However, his career was cut short, as he played only two more seasons before retiring.
The recovery timeline for an Achilles tendon tear can vary depending on various factors, including the severity of the injury, the athlete's age, and the effectiveness of their rehabilitation program. While some athletes may recover within six months, others may require a year or more to fully heal and regain their strength and mobility.
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It is a common injury in basketball
Basketball players are prone to Achilles tendon injuries. The Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body, and it is under constant tension. The tendon can withstand about six times a person's body weight, but the fast and explosive movements in basketball increase the risk of Achilles injuries. The higher intensity of the games may also increase the risk, and players are now training harder than ever.
The continuous nature of the basketball season, with 82 regular-season games and a busy playoff schedule, also contributes to the frequency of Achilles injuries. However, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has disputed this, stating that the number of injuries is "considerably down" compared to other years.
In basketball, Achilles tendon ruptures are caused by a sudden backward shift of the foot, typically when a player pushes or plants their foot behind their body to accelerate or change direction. This movement places great stress on the muscle and makes it vulnerable to rupture, especially in fatigued or degenerated tendons. Landing from a jump awkwardly can also cause a rupture.
Achilles tendon injuries are considered one of the most serious injuries in basketball and can be career-ending. A 2013 medical study found that out of 18 players who suffered major Achilles injuries over a 23-year span, seven players never returned to the league. Those who did return missed an average of 56 games and experienced a decline in performance. Another study found that 36.8% of players retired or played fewer than 10 games after their injury, while 20.5% played only one more season.
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It can be a career-ending injury
An Achilles tendon tear is one of the most serious injuries a basketball player can suffer. It is the longest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone and allowing athletes to jump, accelerate, and change direction. When it ruptures, it is not a simple tear—it is a devastating injury that can be career-ending.
The fast and explosive movements in basketball increase the risk of Achilles tendon injuries. The tendon can take on the stress of about six times a person's body weight, but the constant tension and high loads from running and jumping in basketball make it vulnerable to rupture. This is especially true for athletes who are fatigued or have degenerated tendons. The negative step, when a player pushes or plants their foot behind their body to accelerate or change direction, is a classic setup for a non-contact Achilles tendon injury.
Achilles tendon ruptures are not common in basketball, but they are extremely serious when they do occur. In a 2013 medical study, 36.8% of players retired or played fewer than 10 more games after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture. Another 20.5% were forced to withdraw from the sport due to the injury, and 15.9% played only one more season. Only 63.6% played two or more seasons after their recovery.
The recovery process for an Achilles tendon rupture is long and challenging. It typically takes six months to a year to recover, and even then, players may not return to their previous level of performance. A 2015 CBS Sports article found that among 14 players who returned from Achilles tendon injuries, they averaged fewer minutes on the court and saw declines in their field goal and three-point percentages. Some players have returned to All-Star form, but others have never been the same. For example, Kobe Bryant ruptured his Achilles tendon in 2013 and returned to play just eight games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He played two more seasons, but his scoring average declined precipitously.
In summary, while not all Achilles tendon injuries are career-ending, they are certainly among the most serious injuries in basketball. The long recovery process and potential decline in performance mean that players may never fully recover and return to their previous level of play.
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Frequently asked questions
An Achilles injury is considered very serious and sometimes career-ending. It is the worst injury one can have in basketball.
The Achilles tendon is the thickest, longest and strongest tendon in the body. It is under constant tension and can take on the stress of about six times a person's body weight. When it ruptures, it is not a simple tear.
Basketball's fast and explosive movements increase the risk of Achilles injuries. A common setup for a non-contact injury is when a player pushes or plants their foot behind their body to accelerate or change direction. This causes the Achilles tendon to contract and lengthen, making it vulnerable to rupture.
Recovery times range from six months to an entire year. However, some players have taken much longer to feel like themselves on the court again.
Although Achilles injuries are not the most frequent injuries in basketball, they have become more common in recent years. In the 2024-25 NBA season, there were seven Achilles ruptures.
