Projo Fitness Blog

She's a two-time Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist, but even Misty May-Treanor couldn't avoid a very serious injury during a dance-routine rehearsal for ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

May-Treanor reported on the show Monday night that she was out for the season and headed for surgery to fix a ruptured Achilles tendon.

"I heard a pop," said May-Treanor, who was practicing the jive on the show's ballroom set when the accident happened. "I was doing the Lindy Hop. I thought I flew out of control and hit the judges' stairs, or it felt like I got hit in the back with a baseball bat. Then, I just couldn't put weight on it."

Although this is a very painful and difficult injury to overcome -- surgery is about the only real treatment, there are ways to avoid hearing that God-awful "snap." The best way to do it is by consistent warm-ups and cool-downs, and making sure to do calf stretches before dancing or other high-impact exercises.

Strengthening the calf muscles will go a long way in preventing damage to the tendons. And another important tip: don't bounce when you stretch, because that only works against what you're trying to protect.

Here's other tips from the Mayo Clinic to further reduce your chance of developing Achilles tendon problems:

* Avoid activities that place excessive stress on your heel cords, such as hill-running and jumping activities (especially if done consistently).
* If you notice pain during exercise, rest.
* If one exercise or activity causes you persistent pain, try another.
* Alternate high-impact sports, such as running, with low-impact sports, such as walking, biking or swimming.
* Maintain a healthy weight.
* Wear well-fitting athletic shoes with proper cushioning in the heels.

 Tags  Achilles tendon dancing Dancing With the Stars injuries Misty May-Treanor

Comments

M said:

Excellent tips! Thank you!

Link | October 8, 2008 11:18 AM
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James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H. said:

I am blogging about the same thing today. Great tips.

I stopped playing weekend basketball in my mid-thirties after seeing friends with the injury. Ouch

A couple of added tips: Warm up for 10 minutes or so doing same sort of exercise, only slower.
Pull back that competitive urge a notch or 2. When you get caught up in the moment you think you are a teenager again, until you feel the pop.

Link | October 10, 2008 11:08 AM
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Rosabel said:

Important info! Sometimes I just proceed even though I feel pain in certain part of my body, cos I thought the continuous workout will eliminate the pain slowly. Won't repeat the mistake again.

Link | October 11, 2008 11:21 AM
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