An Achilles tendon rupture will end Derrick Johnson's 2016-17 football season. When a competitive athlete suffers an achilles tendon rupture, the surgical procedure is to reapproximate and suture back together. Think of the sides looking similar to mop strings. Non absorbable sutures are used to pull the two ends together through a long incision or percutaneously. The patient is then non weight bearing for minimum 2-3 weeks then transferred to partial weightbearing in a walking boot for an additional 5 to 6 weeks. He will require physical therapy and most likely return after 3 months. Surgeon's post operative protocols may vary slightly, however the tendon will need time to heal before returning to football. 
"In a meta-analysis of 14 Randomized Control Trials, Khan, et al., evaluated treatment options for acute Achilles ruptures. This meta-analysis included four RCTs that compared surgical to conservative treatment in 356 patients. The authors concluded that surgical repair significantly decreased the risk of re-rupture (3.5 percent with surgery vs. 12.6 percent with non-operative treatment). However, the authors also found that surgery significantly increased the risk of other complications related to adhesion, infection and disturbed sensation (34 percent with surgery versus 2.7 percent with non-operative treatment)."
Wishing Derrick Johnson a speedy recovery! 
http://www.usatoday.com/…/derrick-johnson-injury-…/95174052/

http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/8786

Are your painful feet prevening you from living a healthy, active life style?  

"According to a 2014 survey conducted by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), 39 percent of American adults said they would exercise more if their feet didn't hurt. With this in mind, APMA has announced a new campaign for Foot Health Awareness Month called "Today's Podiatrist Keeps America Walking," which will reach all adults who are active or wish to be active to educate them about the importance of foot and ankle health to a healthy lifestyle, and a podiatrist's critical role in helping treat and prevent foot and ankle injuries."

Common foot and ankle ailments include acute heel pain (plantar fasciitis), foot or ankle tendonitis, or bunion and/or hammer toe deformities.  Some conditions can be treated conservatively with shoe gear modifications and custom foot orthoses to improve the biomechanics of your foot.  Custom foot orthoses are fabricated from a mold/cast of your foot and help support your foot when standing, walking, exercising.  Many insurance plans cover the cost of custom foot orthoses, which last 5-10 years depending on activity.  When conservative treatment fails, then surgical intervention may be the appropriate treatment. The amount of recovery time varies depending on the deformity and procedure performed but can range from 4-12 weeks.  

Podiatry specializes in foot and ankle care and our main goal is to get you back into your daily activities.  So if you are wincing with pain when you take that first step in the morning.  Suffer no more! Make an appointment with your local podiatrist today!

http://www.kait8.com/story/31635456/todays-podiatrist-keep-americans-walking