Down goes Captain Kirk

The Minnesota Vikings started the season 0-3. Now that they’ve transformed that to 4-4 over the last five games, there is hope for a playoff spot. The Vikings just won a game against the Packers, their biggest rival, at Green Bay. Led by star-leader-playbook-Christian-strong arm-quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings had the situation well in hand late in the fourth quarter. 

Kirk’s contributions to the game had been outstanding. Our hero dropped back to pass, danced around in the pocket–and fell to the ground even though there had been no contact. In evident pain, he hobbled off to the sidelines on one leg. The largest tendon in the body, running through the calf muscle to the heel bone, is known as the “achilles.” Captain Kirk had ripped his achilles tendon and is now out for the season. 

For all of the Viking nation cheering “Skoll!” the entire game, the victory over the Packers had become costly and bittersweet. Our possible spot in the playoffs is now in the hands of backup quarterback Hall or newly-acquired Joshua Dobbs.

An injury to the achilles can be a very freak occurrence. My nephew Luke, a fourth-grade teacher in International Falls, was outside playing kickball with his class this fall. Luke is an athlete and very physically fit. Luke circled around to catch a fly ball, heard a popping, snapping sound, and crashed to the ground. Luke said it felt as if he’d been hit by a sledge hammer; he had completely destroyed his achilles tendon. Surgery has reattached the tendon with four insoluble cables. Luke has a boot, therapy, and 26 weeks–half a year!--between himself and full recovery.

I had the privilege of coaching defense and working with head Bluejay coach Terry Gilbertson for 25 years. One time, we had made it to the October MEA weekend and the end of the regular season. Seedings were in and we were scheduled to play a very good Redwood Falls team on their home field.

During practice, Gilby decided to be a quarterback and run plays for the scout team. As he copied a Redwood play, Gilby took the snap…and came up hobbling. Working with the defensive team nearby, I had heard a loud snapping, popping sound. Gilby didn’t feel any pain, but was unable to bend his foot. It took four of us to help him limp off the field. I pulled up my pickup, we loaded our injured comrade and headed to the emergency room. Gilby had a shredded achilles tendon.

He was given immediate surgery; the achilles tendon was stitched and sewn back together. Gilby was back on Monday, walking around on crutches while he taught his sixth-graders in his third-floor classroom.

My, how things have changed since the early 80s…

Redwood is the hometown of my partner, Lisa. Her father, the late John Schnieder, was waiting for the Bluejays at the football field with a golf cart. Gilby limped off the bus, took control of the cart, and motored onto the field. The Bluejays upset the Cardinals that cold evening: I remember Gilby drawing up a passing play for quarterback Chris Bauleke that had a huge impact on the score.

The next game, Gilby was on the sidelines at Marshall on crutches. Marshall was an elite football team: We lost and Gilby could now rest at home to let his achilles tendon heal.

Somewhat later in time the Waseca Public Schools came up with a wellness program focused on athletic competition to build fitness. The great Albert Lea Tiger athlete Terry Gilbertson was matched up to face Mike Klomp, a former Stewartville Tiger athlete who had become a sixth-grade teacher–in badminton.

The match was highly anticipated. Everyone at the Central Intermediate School wanted to see who would triumph. The face-off, however, was never completed. Terry leapt skyward and held a hangtime of several seconds before coming down on the floor with a ruptured achilles tendon in his other leg.

Surgery followed by a boot, and Terry recovered.

In my book, when it comes to being honored in a “hall of fame,” Terry Gilbertson belongs not only in the one for high school coaches, but also for those with smoothest recoveries for one of the worst athletic injuries there is. He is the definition of someone who coached and taught with resilience.

The hamstring muscles are located in the back of the thigh, starting at the hip and continuing to the knee. Tears or strains to the hamstring typically require three to eight weeks of recovery. It’s probably the most common athletic injury. As recovery is completed and the athlete is ready to return to play, it’s very important to be 100-percent recovered, otherwise reinjury is a giant risk. When you pull a hammy, your calf can develop an ugly, yellowish color. I know: I’ve pulled a hammy several times.

If you experience pain, swelling, stiffness, or have difficulty extending your knee, you probably have a knee injury. This “pivotal” joint has many little parts which frequently require arthroscopic surgery to repair.  Also important to any discussion on this topic is cartilage, a firm, whitish connective tissue that gives support and flexibility. The meniscus is a c-shaped pad of cartilage: Each knee has two.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is located in the center of the knee and prevents the tibia from moving forward. If injured, the ACL can heal on its own; interestingly, it requires no blood supply.

My late daughter Katie suffered a torn ACL her sophomore year during a basketball game in St. Peter. She received new ACL ligaments with arthroscopic surgery. We watched a video of the procedure afterward. Wow! It was impressive how delicate and precise the surgeon’s movements had to be. After six to nine months of rehabilitation, stretching, physical therapy and dedication, she brought the knee back. She wore a brace for the rest of her sports career. My son Marc tore a meniscus playing sports. He was fortunate: his recovery was a bit easier.

We, the “baby boomers,” are now in the twilight, golden, rusty time of our lives. Steroid shots and new bionic body parts are on the agenda. Replaced hips, shoulders and knees have become the norm: Many of our friends have had a replacement, some more than one. We are all fortunate the field of medicine has advanced along with our ages.

‘Tis the season! The season of icy sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. Practice stable walking habits, including planting your heels first rather than your toes, and paying attention to icy surfaces. As we grow older, it sure takes longer to heal from injury. You definitely don’t want your family to join you at the hospital for your Thanksgiving meal.