Overstretching the Achilles tendon can result in partial or complete rupture. This condition, in turn, triggers an inflammatory process that causes pain and mobility problems.
An Achilles tendon rupture is an injury to the fibrous cord that connects the muscles of the back of the calf to the calcaneus. It is common in individuals who play sports although it is usually related to being obese and taking certain medications.
It occurs when a tendon suffers a partial or complete tear resulting from stretching beyond its capability. Often this case is a consequence of a forced jump, sudden acceleration while running or an excessive amount of pressure. It may also be attributable to a fall or any sort of trauma to the world.
Its important symptoms are pain and inability to walk; these may vary in intensity depending on the severity of the injury. However, more often than not it could actually be treated with physiotherapy and exercise. Want to know more about it? Learn more about its causes and the rehabilitation process.
What are the causes of an Achilles tendon rupture?
The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that runs across the back of your lower leg. It is chargeable for the attachment of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles to the calcaneus. This band, also often called the “heel cord”, pushes the foot off the bottom and means that you can walk, run or jump.
In most cases, the so-called rupture it occurs at a degree on the tendon that’s about 6 centimeters (just over 2 inches) from where it attaches to the calcaneus. It is most definitely to occur when the leg is straight and the calf muscle is contracted.
Read more: Diego Carlos: His musculature and a serious Achilles tendon injury
Risk aspects
As detailed in publication in Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology, Achilles tendon rupture is more common during sports. Middle-aged men – especially untrained athletes – are more in danger than younger men.
Other identified risk aspects include:
- A sudden increase in pressure on the Achilles heel
- Regular practice the game of jumping
- Trips, falls or accidents
- Treatment with steroid injections
- Taking antibiotics for a very long time
- Anatomical deviations
- Overweight and obesity
- Chronic inflammation or rheumatoid arthritis
Achilles tendon rupture symptoms
Sometimes a rupture of the Achilles tendon heals asymptomatically. However, resulting from its severity or lack of treatment, it may cause the next clinical signs:
- Feeling of receiving a blow to the calf
- Inability to bend your foot or stand in your toes
- Abnormal gait
- Inability to push the injured leg forward while walking
- Hearing a crack or pop when the injury occurs
- Difficulty climbing stairs
- Bruising or swelling of the leg or foot
Diagnosis
To do diagnosis Achilles tendon rupture, your doctor will start with a physical examination of the affected area. First, he or she’s going to inspect your calf for signs of tenderness or swelling. At this point, chances are you’ll feel an area if the tendon is totally torn.
In the following step, the doctor will ask the patient to perform a series of movements and exercises to find out the range of motion and muscle strength. If the Achilles tendon is torn, the person could have less ability to push off or lean on their toes.
Additional diagnostic tests may include ultrasound or MRI. These procedures are painless and are designed to create images of body tissues to know the precise extent of the injury.
Read more here: 24 Common Injuries in Dancers
Achilles tendon rupture treatment
To design appropriate treatment for a torn Achilles tendon, the doctor must take note of vital aspects corresponding to age, lifestyle and the severity of the injury. Sometimes, especially in the event that they are athletes, people select tendon repair surgery.
However, before using this treatment in its place, there are some precautions and habits that support the recovery process with a good prognosis. Let’s see it intimately.
Non-surgical treatment
Inoperable Treating an Achilles tendon rupture avoids the risks of surgery, corresponding to infection. However, its drawback is that recovery may take longer and the injury may recur. These measures include:
- Using bullets. This is a measure suggested by an orthopedic physiotherapist to maintain the tendon at rest.
- Placing ice on the affected area. Applying ice packs for 15 to twenty minutes every 4 to six hours helps reduce pain and inflammation.
- Reach for over-the-counter painkillers and anti inflammatory drugs. They help control pain and swelling.
- Keep the ankle at rest for the primary few weeks.
- Perform recovery exercises under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
Surgical intervention
Achilles tendon repair surgery is a procedure that involves making an incision within the lower leg. Thus, the torn tendon is reattached with sutures.
Now, as detailed in wa study provided by Boundaries in surgerysurgical procedure reduces the speed of re-rupture but is related to the next rate of complications in comparison with conservative treatment.
Rehabilitation
The strategy of rehabilitating a torn Achilles tendon involves a series of physiotherapy exercises which are geared toward to strengthen the leg muscles and in fact the tendon. In most cases, full recovery occurs inside 4 to six months.
It could be very vital to follow this plan in consultation with knowledgeable because the exercises ought to be implemented regularly. This signifies that their level of intensity will change because the recovery phase progresses.
On the opposite hand, there may be a sort of rehabilitation called “Functional rehabilitation‘. This involves performing weight-bearing exercises that concentrate on the ankle joint, i.e normally done in the primary few weeks after the injury. In fact, they’re used while the person remains to be wearing the immobilization device.
AND review of research shared by Foot and ankle clinics reported that such a therapy can produce similar results to surgical procedure. Of course, this must be done within the hands of a physiotherapist. The point is to regain mobility and physical fitness.
After the recovery process is complete, the chance of a recent trauma increases. Therefore, it can be crucial to take preventive measures corresponding to:
- Keep fit and perform warm-up and stretching exercises before each sports training.
- Avoid high heels or shoes unsuitable for sports.
- Ask your doctor are you able to play tennis, basketball and other sports.
- Maintain a healthy weight loss plan.
- Avoid being obese.
Things to recollect:
Achilles tendon rupture may cause pain and limitation of movement. While it mostly affects athletes, it could actually affect anyone, whether consequently of an accident, improper exercise, or being obese.
In many cases, it improves after a period of rest and physical therapy. However, sometimes surgery is obligatory. Therefore, if there may be any suspicion that it might be this injury, it’s best to see a physician in order that he or she will be able to guide you and apply essentially the most appropriate treatment depending in your individual case.
Maybe it would interest you…
