David Beckham Case Study
Introduction:
In the world of sports, injuries are an inevitable part of an athlete's journey. One such compelling case is the Achilles tendon rupture experienced by legendary footballer, David Beckham. This article delves into the moment when Beckham's Achilles tendon gave way, exploring the implications, challenges, and the road to recovery that followed. This case study sheds light on the resilience and determination required to overcome a career-threatening setback.
A Brief Overview of Achilles Tendon Ruptures:
A tendon is a branch of tissue connecting a bone to a muscle. The Achilles tendon specifically connects the calf muscles to the calcaneus bone on the posterior side of the foot. These ruptures often result due to going from plantarflexion to immediate dorsiflexion which causes too much pressure on the tendon leading to a tear if not complete rupture.
The image to the left is considered plantar flexion and to the right is considered dorsiflexion link
How did David Beckham tear his Achilles tendon?
On March 14, 2010, during a match playing for AC Milan, David Beckham was playing against Chievo Verona. At that time, he was on a loan to AC Milan from LA Galaxy. Surprisingly, he injured his tendon while walking when his foot went from plantarflexion to immediate dorsiflexion (the mechanism of injury for Achilles tendon ruptures) as he put his foot down causing him to completely tear his tendon.
What was his injury?
Achilles tendon ruptures can be broken into three different sections:
Grade 1: Mild strain and partial tear
Grade 2: Moderate strain on the tendon and semi-partial tear
Grade 3: Full tear of tendon and complete rupture (requires surgery to heal)
Of the three grades, David Beckham received the worst of all, grade 3 as he completely tore his Achilles tendon.
What treatments did Beckham face?
Following the injury, due to it being a severe grade 3 tear, he underwent surgery in Turku, Finland from Sakari Orava. This surgery put his tendon in a certain position where with minimal movement, it could naturally regrow and heal. For this process, David Beckham went into an intensive rehabilitation process with professional athletic trainers while he was sidelined for 6 months. He was in a cast for a month and then week by week his foot slowly gained movement.
How did Beckham Deal With it Mentally?
David Beckham was well known for facing severe depression during this period. It was up to a point where he also developed an eating disorder where he would sometimes go 48 hours without eating food when he was depressed. Although this depression started after the hate from the 1998 World Cup, the Achilles tendon rupture made it worse. Fortunately, after retiring, David Beckham says he has found peace in life with his family.
Conclusion:
Through Beckham’s determination and work ethic, he was able to go through tough rehabilitation and depression to get back into the field. He was able to get back to the pitch later in the year working with his Major League Soccer Club– LA Galaxy. He continued to play and represent his team until 2013 when he finally retired leaving his legacy as one of the most legendary footballers of all time.
Sources:
“Beckham’s Achilles Injury - Sportmedbc.” SportMed BC, 26 May 2022, sportmedbc.com/beckhams-achilles-injury/#:~:text=While%20he%20won’t%20be,in%20Finland%20the%20following%20day.
“David Beckham Explains Why He Never Sought Therapy after 1998 England Match.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 30 Sept. 2023, www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/david-beckham-therapy-depression-b2421521.html.
“David Beckham Opens up about Mental Health Struggles.” Onlymyhealth, OnlyMyHealth, 4 Oct. 2023, www.onlymyhealth.com/david-beckham-opens-up-about-mental-health-struggles-1696411052.
