Ralph Reiff Explains Patellar Tendon Tears, Blood Clot Risk and Alec Pierce’s Boot
Longtime athletic trainer Ralph Reiff, of Reiff Executive Performance Solutions and the Fingerprints on Medals podcast, joined Jake Query on Query & Company by phone to break down some of the NFL’s latest injuries. (His segment starts at 1:29:27 of the full show.)
Terry McLaurin’s Patellar Tendon
Reiff explained that the patellar tendon sits outside the knee joint and connects the kneecap to the shinbone. “Think of it as the Achilles tendon of the front of the knee,” he said. Because it tears less often than the ACL or MCL, he said trainers “cringe a little bit more” at that diagnosis. His first estimate for recovery: about nine months.
Why Long Trips Raise Clot Risk
Discussing Jalen Hurts’ reported blood clot, Reiff said the risk on flights and long car rides comes from sitting still. “The biggest risk is lack of movement,” he said. His advice for travelers: get up, move around, do toe raises and pump your ankles.
Alec Pierce: Cast vs. Boot
Speaking generally, since he isn’t part of Pierce’s care, Reiff said moving from a cast to a walking boot would be “a positive sign.” A boot can come off for rehab work on range of motion and balance before hopping and landing tests. On whether Pierce traveling with the team would mean anything, he said, “If he does travel, I think that means his window to return is shorter.”
More Colts: Colts Wednesday Notebook and 5 things learned from the Titans loss. Learn more about Reiff Executive Performance Solutions and see the Colts schedule.