Times have totally changed from when Demeco Ryans' review of the NFL Achilles study.............not so much in surgical techniques, but in the postop rehab tools and approach...............but no doubt for the better.
The 2009 study I reviewed was a retrospective review of several online NFL player registries which identified 31 Achilles tendon ruptures in NFL players between 1997 and 2002. There was a postinjury reduction of 88%, 83%, and 78% in power ratings for wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends, respectively, over a 3-year period. There was a 95%, 87%, and 64% postinjury reduction in power ratings for linebackers, cornerbacks, and defensive tackles over a 3-year period. On average, players experienced a greater than 50% reduction in their power ratings following such an injury. Thirty-two percent (10) of NFL players who sustained an Achilles tendon rupture did not return to play in the NFL.
This new March 2019 study reviewed 80 NFL players were identified as having primary Achilles tendon tears between the 2009 and 2014 seasons. Thanks as always for everything you do here; we can't say it enough.
Brisco_County........that is as much detail that I feel is necessary outside of a medical/surgical arena (or that I have time for), to understand where an NFL player stands today after an Achilles tendon rupture. Again, time marches on...........and, thankfully, improved results post many injuries also follows.