Kristaps Porzingis’ ‘rare’ injury: Explaining medically what Celtics center is dealing with during NBA Finals

Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is heading back to the sidelines. Late in the team’s Game 2 win over the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals on Sunday, Porzingis suffered a “torn medial retinaculum, allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon” in his left leg. He was ruled out of Wednesday night’s Game 3 about 90 minutes before tip-off in Dallas.

This issue, which Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla called a “serious injury,” is unrelated to the calf strain that kept Porzingis out for over a month during the Eastern Conference playoffs. 

So what exactly is this injury? You’d be forgiven for not knowing considering that a 2006 study indicated there have only been 32 documented cases of a dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon (the worst-case outcome) in the English language. 

Jeff Stotts, a certified athletic trainer and injury analyst who runs In Street Clothes, gave further insight into the situation on social media: 

“Re: Porzingis: The medial retinaculum is connective tissue that serves as the roof of the tarsal tunnel (think carpal tunnel but in the foot). It anchors multiple structures in place, including the tendon of the posterior tibialis.

“If the retrinaculum is torn, the tendon can shift out of place (dislocate), causing pain and instability of the ankle and foot.

“I only have one real comp in my database but it was in conjunction with other traumatic ankle injuries that required surgery. It will be interesting to see how this is managed but given his injury history there is reason for concern.”

Evan Jeffries, a doctor of physical therapy, created a helpful graphic to show where the medial retinaculum and posterior tibialis tendon are on your body. 

Porzingis had a wrap and/or brace on his left ankle while speaking to reporters on Tuesday and appeared to be moving freely, but, of course, walking around is much different than playing in a Finals game. If it were up to Porzingis, he would play. “I will die out there,” he said after Game 2. To little surprise, the team isn’t going to let him…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kristaps-porzingis-rare-injury-explaining-medically-what-celtics-center-is-dealing-with-during-nba-finals/

Author : Jack Maloney

Publish date : 2024-06-12 23:09:04

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