‘A really significant injury:' Jayson Tatum ruptured his Achilles' tendon. Doctors weigh in on what's next.

Boston Globe

13-05-2025

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The six-time All-Star is expected to make a 'full recovery,' the team said. But for an injury that is one of the most serious in professional sports, it's not clear what that could look like.
'Unfortunately, this is the most serious tendon that can be injured in the ankle and foot region, said Dr. Kurt Hofmann, an orthopedic surgeon at New England Baptist Hospital in Mission Hill. 'It's really a significant injury to sustain.'
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With the Celtics down seven points in the fourth quarter, Tatum was pursuing a loose ball when he crumbled to the floor, writhing in pain and clutching at his right leg. He avoided putting any weight on it as training staff helped him off the court. He was later shown on the ESPN broadcast in a wheelchair with his face in his hands.
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'The fact that he had to be carried off, he's the type of guy that gets right up,' Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said after the game. '[This time,] he didn't.'
Achilles' tendons, which connect the heel bone to the calf muscle, are the largest tendons in the body according to
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Depending on their severity, Achilles' tears can be treated with both surgical and non-surgical methods, per MGB, though professional athletes typically opt for the former. Doctors classify Achilles tears' into three grades, the most severe being a full rupture of most or all of the tendon fibers. It's unclear what the severity of Tatum's rupture is.
According to a league source, the decision was made to operate immediately because swift action following Achilles' injuries tends to lead to more favorable outcomes.
The source added that complications during these procedures are common, so the Celtics were encouraged when Tatum emerged from surgery with no further issues.
Tatum is one of many NBA superstars who have ruptured their Achilles' tendons. Just last month,
Kevin Durant
That seems to be indicative of Tatum's potential recovery timeline. The absence of their most productive and reliable player
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'The problem with this injury is that it takes a long, long time to get back to any sort of basketball activity to begin with, ' Hofmann said. 'And then, obviously, at the level that that he would like to be at from an NBA player standpoint [can be even longer].'
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Some with torn Achilles' can return to physical activity as soon as three to four months after surgery, with physical therapy and other treatments, Hofmann said. But for NBA players, it typically takes about six to eight months to return to practice.
Getting back to full speed and full strength, he said, can be anywhere to 12 to 18 months.
'You'll need to use crutches for two weeks, then you'll be in a medical boot for for at least a month, or a little longer,' said Dr. Atsushi Endo, an orthopedic surgeon at Tufts Medical Center. 'So you can walk on your own without any medical device after usually two months. Then you can start doing some ... sports specific [exercises].'
Medical staff will have to be careful to avoid a 're-rupture,' which, though relatively uncommon, would seriously complicate any recovery, Hofmann said.
'They'll likely bring it along slowly, allow him to get used to the game speed again' he said. 'There's a big mental component to this as well. Because of the injury and how it happens, a non-contact type injury, there are a lot of mental obstacles that need to be overcome as players get back on the court, so they're not playing in fear of that.'
Achilles' tendons play an especially crucial role for basketball players, who rely on them for their explosive and sudden movements on the court.
'It's the major stabilizer of the posterior aspect of the ankle,' Hofmann said, 'and it really adds the most power to the calf muscle, which allows NBA players to run and jump higher.'
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However, on Tatum's side is his age; at 27 years old, he may recover more speedily than older players. Achilles' tears are most common in older athletes approaching middle age, Endo said.
Tatum has been one of the most durable players in the NBA. He only missed ten regular season games this year, and until last month against the Magic, he had never missed a playoff game. No one has played more minutes than Tatum since he entered the NBA in 2017.
Material from previous Globe coverage was used. Adam Himmelsbach contributed reporting to this story.
Camilo Fonseca can be reached at