author – Dr. Hilary Pelletier
Born and raised in Maine, Dr. Hilary Pelletier graduated from the University of Maine in Orono with a B.A. in psychology. She then attended and graduated from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine in N.Y.C.. Living in Maine again since 1999, her practice is located at 2 Union Street in Brunswick. In addition to treating and helping prevent foot and ankle injury and disease, she has a special interest in geriatric podiatry.
My father-in-law is a very active guy. There isn’t a day that he isn’t outside running his dogs, hiking in the woods, or cutting down trees for firewood. Anyone looking at him would see a healthy 70-year-old with a zest for life. However, 5 years ago, while at the gym, a simple pickleball game against some elderly ladies turned into a completely ruptured Achilles’ tendon, a surgical repair and many months off his feet and in physical therapy. Since he was retired at this time, no work was lost but his sense of adventure and daily hikes with his dogs came to a grinding halt. The good news is that he is that healthy, active man again.
Why does this story matter to you? Achilles’ tendon ruptures, whether a complete rupture or a partial tear are becoming more and more common. The most common demographic is middle-aged men and this injury most occurs while enjoying a recreational game of basketball, football, or even pickleball. Abrupt changes in direction, while pushing off from your feet is the mechanism involved, causing this life altering injury. As a police officer, this injury can occur as you are in pursuit, or rushing to assist a person in need.
What can you do to prevent this from occurring? First, be sure that the footwear you have isn’t becoming too worn or broken down. Second, is to stretch! Flexibility is key in making sure that your calf muscles can perform their job on demand. Third, if you are a smoker, this is one of the key attributing factors that can be prevented.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you have injured your Achilles, be sure to have it professionally evaluated. This means, go beyond your ER visit, and see a specialist. As a podiatrist, I treat Achilles Tendon injures regularly and luckily, not all require surgery. Early treatment has the best chance of a full recovery, so don’t put off caring for this common injury.
While this injury is most commonly seen in men, women are not exempt. Coincidentally, my mother-in-law, also a very active woman, stepped in a hole last year and ruptured her Achilles’ tendon as well. After surgery and physical therapy, she has healed 100% and they are both out in the woods with their dogs daily…watching for holes and avoiding pickleball.