Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum returned to the court last Friday, just 298 days after tearing his Achilles in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks.
Tatum scored 15 points over 27 minutes in Friday’s season debut. He noted that it he still has “a long way to go, but this was a really good step,” Tatum told ESPN after the game.
Many speculated that a return this season would be possible, especially since he suffered the Achilles injury in New York, the same city where his surgeon was located, and thus he was able to undergo the operation sooner than any normal individual, even other professional athletes. However, Dr. Silverman speculated when the injury first happened that any return to the court this season would be driven by other more important factors.
“If Tatum is going to recover in time to help the Celtics next season, his age (only 27, youth on his side) and his work ethic during his months of rehab will have much more influence on his recovery timetable than when his surgery was performed. Doctors didn’t stumble onto some miracle cure to Achilles recovery by performing the operation so quickly. It could be beneficial, it may not matter in the slightest, but other factors will play a much more pivotal role as to whether or not Tatum plays meaningful minutes for the Celtics next season.”
Make no mistake – returning to professional basketball just nine and a half months after tearing the Achilles is an impressive feat, but it still seems unlikely that the expedited surgery really factored into the equation. Waiting a couple days allows damaged tissue to die and makes it easier for the surgeon to remove this dead tissue during the operation, but his young age, his access to world-class surgeons and rehab specialists, and his commitment to restrengthening the tendon were almost assuredly the driving factors behind his ability to return this season.
Hopefully he continues to build strength and confidence in Achilles and the Celtics onboard him correctly as they gear up for the real season – the playoff run. We’re confident that he should be able to avoid a setback with his Achilles, but you can never say never when it comes to soft tissue injuries. Here’s hoping he can stay healthy and help the Celtics make another deep playoff run.
If you’re working to overcome an Achilles injury, or you want help rehabbing a lesser injury like an ankle sprain or shin splints, Dr. Silverman and his team are here for you. For more information on how we can assist with all your foot and ankle needs, connect with Dr. Silverman or look around his website for more helpful information.