Understanding Kristaps Porizingis’ Medial Retinaculum Tear
- Post By: Jeff Stotts
- Date:
- Category: Injury Report, NBA
The Boston Celtics are two wins away from hanging the 18th championship banner in franchise history. Despite the advantage, things took an interesting twist Tuesday when it was revealed center Kristaps Porzingis suffered a left ankle injury in their Game 2 victory.
The team announced Porzingis suffered a “torn medial retinaculum allowing dislocation of the posterior tibialis tendon in his left leg.” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was correct when he referred to the injury as “serious” and “rare.”
The medial retinaculum is connective tissue located on the inside aspect of the ankle. It forms the roof of the tarsal tunnel, a passage similar to the better-known carpal tunnel of the wrist. Nerves, blood vessels, and tendons run through the passageway as they head to the foot. One of these tendons is the tendon of the posterior tibialis. This muscle, located on the back of the lower leg, anchors to the foot and helps with motion and stability. If the retinaculum is torn, the tendon can shift or dislocate out of position, causing the individual pain and compromising the integrity of the foot and ankle. A conservative approach to care is possible though surgery remains the more effective treatment plan.
A quick look through the SMART/InStreetClothes NBA database confirms the rarity of the injury. I did not have one other confirmed case of a retinaculum tear. Former Lakers center Chris Mihm underwent surgery on his posterior tibialis tendon but that was in conjunction with a medial ankle ligament tear and involved a realignment of his heel bone. As a result, predicting Porzingis’ status is difficult.
Porzingis insists he will try to play, an option that is possible if his associated symptoms are manageable and the medical team is able to stabilize the tendon. However, the risk of further injury will linger, especially with Porzingis’ lengthy lower extremity injury history. His left leg alone has endured multiple injuries to the calf and Achilles as well as sprains of the ankle. This is also the same leg in which he tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee. Any shift in movement or loading pattern could also impact his right leg. This could be particularly problematic considering Porzingis just returned after missing over a month with a soleus strain in that extremity.
The Celtics ran through the Eastern Conference without Porzingis’ services but look for the team do everything they can to have their big man available for Game 3. If Porzingis is unable to suit up it would mark the third time since the Mavericks traded him to the Wizards that an injury would prevent him from playing in Dallas.