THE EXPERT
Physiotherapist Duncan Mason likens an Achilles' tendon injury to the process of a rope fraying.
“If it frays a little it can still be strong, yet if it frays a lot it could snap, says the director at Athlete Matters at Worsley Physiotherapy and Sports Injuries Clinic.
The Achilles tendon is found at the back of the ankle and connects the calf muscle to the bone in the heel of the foot.
The rate of recovery from an injury depends on the “grade” of the injury.
“A grade one is where you tear a few fibres. A grade two is more significant, you can tear up to half of it and a grade three is where the whole thing goes.”
Duncan says that Beckham's age – he's 34 - and sports career wear and tear will be other factors to take into consideration.
Poor biomechanics can lead to problems too, particularly among people whose feet have a tendency to flex and roll upon impact with the floor.
The type of treatment also depends on the extend of the injury, Duncan explains.
“Grade one and two injuries require immediately rest, using crutches and applying ice regularly. Weight can be put on the foot after around five days or up three weeks after, respectively.
“Deep tissue massage is used to make the tendon stronger.
“Grade three injuries are put in plaster for between six -12 weeks or let it heal.
“With an athlete you'd probably go for surgical intervention to join the two ends of the tendon together.”
He says that the injury can end careers.
“Ashia Hansen, the Commonwealth champion at triple jump, she won in Manchester, she ruptured her tendon and was never the same after that.”
