The young javelin thrower’s recovery prognosis is excellent.
Carl Lybäck, a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology, examined Julia Valtanen’s plastered leg before the operation. Julia Valtanen’s home album
Specialist in orthopedics and traumatology familiar with sports injuries Carl Lybäck operate Julia Valtanen Achilles tendon on June 14 in Helsinki. Valtanen’s Achilles tendon in his left leg broke a week earlier at the Jyväskylä GP.
– Julia’s Achilles tendon was completely severed, it couldn’t be severed any further. Similar injuries in ordinary people are often treated without surgery, but for Julia, a professional athlete, open surgery was the most reasonable option, says Lybäck.
According to Lybäck, it was a big injury, which is more common in men between the ages of 40 and 60 than in young athletes.
– In Julia’s case, it was a rather rare case. His calf muscles continue to be lower than usual and that predisposed him to this injury.
Lybäck believes that Valtanen will be able to return to the competition fields and throw like before the injury.
– Julia should make a full recovery, as the prognosis is excellent. Good and fast rehabilitation is key. Even a small movement of the toes and feet will advance the recovery, and for example aqua aerobics is one good form of rehabilitation, says Lybäck.
Small risk
Lybäck reminds that a similar injury may often remain in the athlete’s subconscious.
– Mental recovery is a long process, and I bring it up in discussions. A bruise may remain in the subconscious from the injury. It can be there for a maximum of one year, but after that the muck must be evicted from between the ears. The risk of recurrence of the Achilles tendon injury is very small, I don’t remember that happening. In other words, there is no medical concern, Lybäck states.
Lybäck, one of the founding members of Medical Center Fenix, has worked not only in Helsinki and Porvoo, but also in Stockholm and Ukraine, where he was a military surgeon a year ago.
According to Fenix Sport’s website, Lybäck’s customers have included, among others sami Hyypiä (football), Sara Kuivisto (800 and 1500 m running), Edis Tatli and Eva Wahlström (boxing), Anton Kuivanen and Makwan Amirkhani (free match) and Emma Kimiläinen and Harri Toivonen (motorsport).