Latest news with #injuryRecovery
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Sonia O'Sullivan: How runners can best deal with the dreaded Achilles injury
Every athlete has an Achilles heel, and it's inevitable they'll run into an injury there at some point in their career. There's no such thing as good or bad timing, it will always feel like the wrong time, as momentum and fitness is lost and the mental battle begins to get through the non-running phase. It's also the one injury that all athletes dread to even think about. It might be an Achilles niggle, a strain, a small tear, or a complete rupture, only it doesn't always present itself in a typical way. On some days it hurts more than others, on some runs it can mysteriously disappear, but it often frustrates the athlete with its non-linear treatment and return to running. It can also strike any athlete at any time. Jakob Ingebrigtsen is off-track with his training due to an Achilles injury, the Norwegian star posting some videos on social media of his patient approach to the recovery. He also knows he's already playing catch-up on some of his rivals. Ciara Mageean also spoke last week about her slow recovery from the Achilles injury which forced her out of last summer's Olympics. Having undergone surgery last September, she's still not back on the track yet, and won't be racing at all this summer. READ MORE [ Ciara Mageean on the slow road back to fitness Opens in new window ] Some injuries are clearer cut than others. The bone stress reaction that athletes also fear is actually the simplest one deal with it. The consensus is that bone takes six weeks to heal, so that means committing to six weeks of non-weight bearing activity, then the reintroduction of weight bearing activities as the athlete sets out on the road to full recovery. There are some new theories now that bone injuries are perhaps not as straightforward as we thought, and that bone, as a living tissue, also needs some stimulation to promote healing and get back to some weight-bearing activity sooner. This is something that is still in experimental stages, requiring close monitoring by a medical provider with experience in this area. I can clearly remember back to when I was dealing with Achilles injuries in the 1990s. I was lucky that the injuries cropped up in the springtime, the least worst time, so I only missed out on the World Cross Country or World Indoor events. The outdoor season was always the priority for me, so there was time enough not to panic. Even though I was never happy to miss any races, I knew if I put my head down and worked hard on the rehabilitation then I'd be back even stronger. I can remember turning up at the Hartmann International Clinic in Limerick city, staying in the apartments above so that I could have twice daily sessions, and also access to the gym and cross training equipment. The scans revealed that I was a perfect candidate for Achilles surgery, but Gerard Hartmann gave me two options; the first was conservative intensive treatment, alongside a bucket of crushed ice where I would immerse my ankle, alternating with warm water, at least four times per day. If there was no improvement in four weeks, the second option be surgery. With option one, all I would have lost is four weeks, whereas with surgery you straight away give up at least six months. Both Achilles, left and right, caused me trouble throughout my career, and I always took the conservative option. This didn't give much leeway to any other activities outside of treatment, rehabilitation, icing, strengthening and cross training for at least four weeks. Then a slow and gradual return to running. The greatest benefit of all was the mental resilience this protocol gave me when I eventually got back racing. Putting the decision into my own hands and determining my outcome is something I have continued to carry with me through life, and pass on to athletes I work with. Including my daughter Sophie, who was in a similar position with an injury last year, just four months out from the Paris Olympics. For Ingebrigtsen, it helps that he's been down the Achilles injury route before. He had a similar issue last season, before the track season got going, yet managed things and still produced a record-breaking European and Olympic gold medal-winning season. Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Photograph: Maja Hitij/Getty The big difference this year is the Achilles has reared its head a little bit closer to his opening races. Particularly the Oslo Diamond League meeting on June 12th, where he normally kicks off his season at home. There was talk of world records over 5,000m, but this will now happen without Ingebrigtsen's name on the start list. Not everything is lost though, as there are still 15 weeks before the World Championships in Tokyo get started – just under four months – so ample time to heal and recover and get back into a high level of training. This is also off the back of maintaining fitness in the gym, on the bike, the cross-trainer and special gravity-defying treadmills that many athletes now use on their road back to full recovery. These treadmills that Ingebrigtsen was seen using this week allow an athlete to maintain their running specific training, while not carrying their full body weight. This can be adjusted as they are able to tolerate more weight and force going through the body as the Achilles begins to heal and regain strength. Unfortunately not available to all runners. Mageean has no doubt the surgery on her right Achilles will allow her to get back to compete on the World and Olympic stage in future years. She's understandably getting a little impatient, but with any injury, it's important to believe in the healing process. Mageean only needs to look at her left Achilles, and how she recovered from surgery on that back on 2013, to have trust in that process too. When you've been to multiple World Championships like Mageean, you can afford to step back. But no athlete likes to get too far away from the racing track.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Evans agrees new Dragons deal
Wales international Cai Evans has agreed a new deal with Dragons. The 25-year-old - who can play at either full-back or fly-half - has made 20 appearances for the region, scoring 97 is currently recovering from a ruptured Achilles he suffered during the Challenge Cup in January. Evans said he was "delighted" to re-sign with a "proud club"."I am driven to move forward from what has been a challenging season with significant injuries, and I am massively thankful for the support I've received from the staff and my teammates," he said. "What hasn't wavered is my self-belief, and I can't wait to get my boots back on and play in front of a rocking Rodney Parade soon."The drive on the pitch is to achieve more consistent and winning performances. The signings we've made, alongside a talented group of young players, will hopefully turn these narrow losses into wins. I can't wait to be a part of it."Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said Evans' ability to play in two positions is "an asset" to the squad."He is a hard-working individual who is determined and focussed on making a successful playing return next season," he said.
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
AFL 2025: Melbourne star Christian Petracca on injury, trade buzz and appetite for success
Christian Petracca fought back tears as he revealed the toll his life-threatening injury had on his family. Petracca will play his 200th match this Sunday, but he almost didn't reach 190 after suffering a lacerated spleen, punctured lung and fractured ribs last year. The Melbourne star returned to the field after the initial knock that day against Collingwood but was soon rushed to hospital with critical damage internally. He spent several days in the intensive care unit and underwent a gruelling recovery – similar to that of a car-crash victim. Petracca, 29, labelled the injury the most taxing period of his life for him and his family but said it provided him 'with incredible perspective'. 'Not even a part of my career, part of my life, and (for) my wife Bella obviously that was really difficult,' an emotional Petracca said. 'For me, it's been … we've got through it together which is the main thing. 'I look back at that time now with incredible perspective, as I said, silver lining. 'I wouldn't have wanted to go through something like that, but life gave me that gift and I am really appreciative of being able to pull on the jumper every day now. 'It's given me a feeling that I never would've had before the injury, I think I took footy for granted a little bit and life. 'It's definitely shifted my priorities of what's most important to me.' Petracca said his wife and family not only aided him through his recovery from injury but to 200 games. 'She's (Bella) been my biggest rock … it's been amazing to have her by my side through difficult times but also through the highs as well,' he said. 'She's a competitor too, which is very funny, she pushes me to get better, which is awesome. 'Obviously, my family, my parents, I wouldn't be in the position I am here if it wasn't for them, the sacrifices they made growing up for me. 'My two older brothers, obviously being one of three and the youngest, I got bullied a lot growing up, but I thank them for the player I am now. 'They still give me sh*t now for everything – that's what brothers are there for.' Amid Petracca's traumatic recovery and the investigation that followed was speculation he was in search of a fresh start elsewhere. Petracca said the 'strong conversations' had last year was a normal process for a team striving to taste premiership success again. 'Externally I understand there's always going to be noise surrounding that, but internally I know, my teammates know, the club know: I am a Melbourne person through and through,' he said. 'Last year was nothing more than wanting to make this football club better and see success. 'I think we had strong conversations but that's healthy, what high-performance environment isn't having them? 'It's not necessarily listening to the players, I put the onus on myself, I need to get better as a leader too. 'It wasn't pointing fingers or blaming people, it was as a collective 'how can we get better? We have the list, we have the coaching staff, we have incredible fans'. 'For us it was about that, being in it together and understanding what we can achieve.' That speculation surfaced again this year after the Norm Smith medallist threw his mouthguard in frustration at Melbourne's winless start to the season. Petracca pointed to his heritage with a giggle when asked about the well-documented reaction. 'It's (winning) why I play footy, to be honest, I express emotion … I am Italian,' he laughed. 'I wear my heart on my sleeve, the way we talk, we talk with expression and emotion – I feel everything deeply. 'For me, yeah, I was frustrated after a loss, but what competitor isn't?' Petracca said he would look back on his career with great pride knowing he played more than 200 games after an ACL rupture in his debut year and the issues of last year. 'I think I took it for granted in my first few years, having that ACL injury taught me a lot about what I needed to do and what it takes to be one of the best players in the competition,' he said. 'Also my own expectation, what I need to do to get to that level – I think everything you go through helps you (and) makes you a better player. 'Everything happens for a reason, there's been a lot of highs and I have felt like over my period I have been a consistent footballer built off the habits and routines of Monday to Friday. 'Then even last year with my injury as well, it was something that was unfortunate but it's part of your journey, it's part of your career and I will look back on my time and be really proud of going through something like that.'
National Post
16-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi to stay in hospital after emergency surgery
Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to stay in the hospital for another five days after having emergency surgery on an abdominal injury, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said Friday. Article content Article content The Nigeria striker had two operations to repair internal damage after he collided with a post during the 2-2 draw with Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday. He was placed in an induced coma to aid his recovery but is now awake and talking with his family, Britain's Press Association reported. Article content Article content Espirito Santo said he hopes Awoniyi will be able to attend the final game of the season — against Chelsea on May 25. Article content 'He went to surgery — surgery went well,' Espirito Santo said. 'He is under observation now, but he is recovering. We still have to wait for the doctors to allow visits. We are concerned but it is positive. It has been very difficult because of the concern of the injury, the situation he went through.'
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wales full-back Williams searches for new club
Wales full-back Liam Williams believes he still has plenty to offer as he looks for a new club for next 34-year-old will leave Saracens at the end of the 2024-25 has not played since suffering a knee injury in Wales' defeat by France in their opening Six Nations game in had surgery three months ago and has been doing some of his rehabilitation with the Wales medical British and Irish Lion is expected to be fit for the start of the 2025-26 campaign after undergoing a full pre-season, although he will not be available for Wales' summer tour of Japan."I think I've still got some more left in the tank," said Williams."The knee feels good and my aim is just to get fit and back on the pitch with a new club." Williams says he is aiming to end his career "on a high". "In the past two years I have struggled a bit with injury, but that's the sport we play," he added. "I understand I'm not going to play 30 games a season at my age, but I am more than willing to go into the trenches with the boys for a couple more seasons."Williams is keen to take some coaching responsibility alongside playing."The first thing is for me is to play and then maybe help some of the younger guys through, whether it be on the pitch or with off the pitch stuff," he said."Something I am looking at for the future is coaching or doing some consultancy work, especially with players in the back three." Joining Wales' 100-cap club The France game was Williams' 93rd for Wales, while he has also featured in five Tests for the British and Irish has set his sights on becoming the 10th Welshman to reach 100 caps for his country after Alun Wyn Jones, Gethin Jenkins, George North, Dan Biggar, Taulupe Faletau, Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams, Leigh Halfpenny and Gareth Thomas."I'd like to get to the 100-cap milestone but the first thing is to get fit and back on the field," he had returned to Six Nations action this year after missing the 2024 tournament while he had a stint in Japanese rugby with Kubota he comes to the end of his second spell with Saracens after returning from Japan, Williams says he does not mind where he goes next."We're pretty open-minded," said Williams."Obviously it'd be nice to stay in Wales and help some of the youngsters through, whether that be in the national squad or our regions."We don't really have a preference, so we will just see what happens and if any clubs are keen."
