Skip to page content
The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center

Main Navigation

  • About Us
  • Our ProvidersExpand Our Providers section
    Find a provider
    or
    or
    View all providers→
  • ServicesExpand Services section
    • Heel Pain
    • Foot Pain
    • Orthopaedics
    • Fractures
    • Total Ankle Replacement Surgery
    • Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
    • Hammertoes
    • Sports Injuries
    • Dance Medicine
    • Ankle Pain
    • Achilles
    • Podiatry
    • Diabetic Foot Care
    • Physical Therapy
    • Custom Orthotics
    • Custom Braces
    • Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT)
    • All-Natural & Metal-Free Bunion Surgery
    • Remarkable Feet
    • Workers' Compensation
    • IME/Expert Medical Witness
    • Telemedicine
  • Patient InfoExpand Patient Info section
    • About Your Visit
    • Patient Forms
    • Digital Imaging
    • Patient Portal Info
    • Surgery Information
    • Patient Education
  • LocationsExpand Locations section
    or
    or
    View all locations→
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
Explore Office Locations
    • Arlington
    • Falls Church
    • Arlington
    • Falls Church
Arlington
Address
1550 Wilson Blvd Suite 105 Arlington, Virginia 22209
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Contact Numbers
Phone
703-584-2040
Fax
703-560-7218
More Details
Arlington
Address
1550 Wilson Blvd. Ste 105 Arlington, Virginia 22209
Opening Hours
Mon - Thu: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Fri: 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Contact Numbers
Phone
(703) 769-8448
More Details
Falls Church
Address
2922 Telestar Court Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Opening Hours
Mon-Thu: 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Contact Numbers
Phone
(703) 584-2040
Fax
(703) 560-7218
More Details
Falls Church
Address
2922 Telestar Court Falls Church, Virginia 22042
Opening Hours
Mon - Thu: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Fri: 6:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Contact Numbers
Phone
(703) 769-8448
More Details
Make Appointment Make an Appointment Schedule Here
Patient Portal Patient Portal Access Your Account
Pay My Bill Pay My Bill Make Payment Here
Contact Us
Additional Numbers
  • Phone-solid Korean Direct Line (703) 394-4818
  • Phone-solid Main Line (703) 584-2040
  • Phone-solid Physical Therapy (703) 769-8448
Home
Main Navigation
  • About Us
  • Our Providers
    • Steven K. Neufeld, M.D.
    • Daniel J. Cuttica, D.O.
    • Thomas H. Sanders, M.D.
    • Arthur Black, D.P.M.
    • Tiomara Paylor, D.P.M.
    • Elizabeth Beck, PA-C
    • Noely G. Macias, PA-C
    • Matthew Bernier, PT, MPT
    • Frances Camille Davis, PT
    • Christin-Joi Tiongco, PT, DPT
    • Marcia Graddon, ATC, BOCPD
    • Danielle Saltarelli, MS, ATC
  • Services
    • Heel Pain
    • Foot Pain
    • Orthopaedics
    • Fractures
    • Total Ankle Replacement Surgery
    • Minimally Invasive Bunion Surgery
    • Hammertoes
    • Sports Injuries
    • Dance Medicine
    • Ankle Pain
    • Achilles
    • Podiatry
    • Diabetic Foot Care
    • Physical Therapy
    • Custom Orthotics
    • Custom Braces
    • Extracorporeal Pulse Activation Technology (EPAT)
    • All-Natural & Metal-Free Bunion Surgery
    • Remarkable Feet
    • Workers' Compensation
    • IME/Expert Medical Witness
    • Telemedicine
  • Patient Info
    • About Your Visit
    • Patient Forms
    • Digital Imaging
    • Patient Portal Info
    • Surgery Information
    • Patient Education
  • Locations
    • Arlington
    • Falls Church
    • Arlington Physical Therapy
    • Falls Church Physical Therapy
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Page Content
September 18, 2023

Dr. Thomas Sanders Analyzes Aaron Rodgers' Achilles Rupture

Last night, on Monday, September 11th, 2023, in a shocking turn of events, Aaron Rodgers, the star quarterback of the New York Jets, suffered a devastating Achilles tendon rupture during his season debut. "Typically, these injuries happen during non-contact situations when there is forced dorsiflexion while pushing off, resulting in eccentric contracture of the muscle" explained foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Thomas Sanders.

Achilles tendon ruptures can be treated either operatively or non-operatively, although professional athletes almost always opt for surgery due to the quicker, more reliable recovery and the slight increase in strength it offers. The average return to play for a professional athlete after Achilles tendon repair is 9-12 months, so this injury is definitely a season-ender for Rodgers. Hopefully, he will be ready to go for week 1 of the next season.

Achilles tendon ruptures can be managed through either surgical or non-surgical methods. However, professional athletes like Rodgers often opt for surgery due to its faster and more reliable recovery outcomes, along with the potential for slightly increased strength.

Reports emerged this weekend that Aaron Rodgers underwent an “innovative and new” procedure that involved putting an “internal brace” in his Achilles. There is optimism that he could potentially return to the field by January for a playoff run. 

Update: Sep.19th, 2023

The “mid substance speedbridge “ procedure that Rodgers underwent has been in use for a while. It involves fixing the Achilles tendon with standard technique, but then using two bone anchors to secure the proximal tendon directly to the bone. The Orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons at OFAC have been doing this technique for many years. While there is no good evidence that this will speed up recovery to a significant degree, the fixation to bone does make a stronger construct. The weakest part of an Achilles repair is the tendon/suture interface. So this speedbridge technique bypasses that. "I am still doubtful that Rodgers will be playing in 4 months, but it will be interesting to follow for sure. " said Dr. Sanders.

The Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Center specializes in treating sports injuries, including Achilles tendon ruptures. If you're in need of a foot and ankle orthopedic physician, call or schedule your appointment online today.

Watch Dr. Sanders' give a lecture on surgery vs. non-surgical option for Achilles tendon ruptures.

The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics is redefining the way musculoskeletal care is delivered across the region with locations throughout Maryland, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Learn More

The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
  • Non-Discrimination Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Billing Disclosures

Find us on:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Site Map
  • About Us
  • Our Providers
  • Services
  • Patient Info
  • Locations
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
Copyright © 2025 The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics
Site by Piszko

We may use third-party services like Google Analytics to analyze how people interact with www.footankledc.com or to provide additional functionality to you. These services will be able to see limited information about your device and/or internet connection, such as your IP address, and may set cookies in your browser. No personal or health information is collected or transmitted by www.footankledc.com.