Rehab of Achilles Tendon Rupture

Physical therapy after surgery is best to help heal tendon problems. For more serious surgeries for restorative procedures on the tendon tissue the patient is best advised to delay before going to therapy. Because of this rehabilitation can be slower to allow the tendon to fully heal before too much pressure can be put on the

The Ponseti method involves 4-8 weeks of plaster casts that run from the toes to the groin. The casts are changed every 5-7 days after gentle stretching and manipulation to slowly and gently move the foot into the correct position. Eighty percent of patients will require an Achilles tenotomy to correct residual equinus deformity (AFP, 2012). Achilles tenotomy is a quick minor procedure that can be done in the doctor’s office. After the procedure, the patient is placed back in a cast for a few more weeks while the Achilles tendon regrows to the needed length. After the Achilles tendon has healed, the cast is removed and the patient must use an abduction brace “which is worn 23 hours a day for 3 months and then 14-16 hours, while asleep, until the child’s fourth birthday (AFP,

The first 10-14 days after surgery is focusing on keeping the wound dry and clean, being able to straighten the knee, and being in control of the quadriceps. The knee is also iced often to keep swelling and pain down. During physical therapy the focus is on keeping the kneecap mobile, regaining full range of motion, getting strength back to the quads and hamstrings, and regaining balance. Mobility stretching can include; knee extension and flexion which is just bending and straightening the knee, hamstring stretching, that is extending the leg and reaching for toes, and groin stretches, extend both legs as far as you can and lean forward. Strengthening exercises are lunges, squats, leg presses, step ups, calf raises which is going on your toes, hamstring curls lay on your stomach and bend the knee, hip adduction use a resistive band and pull the leg across the body, for hip abduction just pull the leg across the body again against the resistance while keeping the knee

Ice- it will keep down the swelling. Apply ice with a thin piece of cloth, not more than 20 minutes to avoid frostbite.

Avoid using the tendon (other than gentle range of motion) while the tendon is painful. Do not resume use until told by your health care provider. Then begin use gradually. Do not increase use to the point of pain. If pain develops, decrease use and continue the above measures. Gradually increase activities that do not cause discomfort until you achieve normal

You may need to wear the splint, brace, immobilizer, or cast for up to 6 weeks. You may be given crutches to help you move around.

The doctor sets it with a cast. After two months or so, the doctor says your leg is healed, but you feel it’s not ready yet. So the doctor leaves it a couple more months, as you keep insisting it still needs to be in a cast. After a year, the doctor takes the cast off. When he takes the cast off, that leg will be weak.

Apply icing for 20 minutes, four to six time a day for several days. This will help in reducing pain and swelling.

For phase on of recovery you should really rest it focusing mostly on reducing swelling so a knee bracket and ice is important small

Elevation by raising the leg will help swelling drain away from the site of the injury. Elevate the leg while icing and for 10 minutes after.

Rest the patient by safely transferring him/her off the field and situate them in a comfortable stance, stabilising the injury to reduce bleeding. The athlete must not use the injured site for a minimum of 48-72 hours as it may cause additional haemorrhage and injury. Next, apply ice accompanied with a form insulating material onto the injured site for 20 minutes every hour for the first 72 hours to decrease pain, bleeding and swelling. Compression involves wrapping the injured area using a bandage, ensuring that it is not too tight or loose. This stabilises the injury and minimises bleeding and swelling. Elevation requires the injured site to be raised above the heart to decrease the amount of bleeding, swelling, throbbing and pain. The injury can be kept elevated using a soft cushion and must be aloft whenever possible. The athlete must be referred to a doctor or a physiotherapist as soon as possible after managing the injury. This will establish the severity and any rehabilitation needed as well as tips on treatment

The number one component in the treatment of a strain is time and rest. The athlete must be prepared and patient to take the necessary time and rest to let the hamstring heal correctly for the long-term. Immediately after the injury occurs the athlete should focus on the R.I.C.E protocol. R.IC.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. For the first day or two depending on the severity of the strain, the muscle should be iced for 10 to 15 minutes every hour then wrapped in compression. In the first few days, ibuprofen may be taken to help reduce the pain and the swelling. The ice and compression will help control swelling and bleeding if present. If more action is needed, elevation can be used to also help reduce swelling. After this stage is complete, the athlete can then began to apply heat to the muscle for up to twenty minutes. The heat will help to relax the biceps femoris, and will also increase blood flow. Another option at this time of the recovery is massaging the

Physical therapy is a huge part of the recovery process. Almost immediately following surgery, a physical therapist will come in and do an evaluation on the patient and then either the PT or a physical therapist assistant will help the patient start off with an exercise program. In the first few weeks following surgery, the main goals for the patient are learning to walk with their walker or crutches and gentle massage to the foot area. The patient can start a few exercises including keeping the knee and hip joints strong and moving with strengthening and range of motion exercises. During weeks two through six, other exercises are introduced including range of motion exercises for the ankle. Calf and ankle stretches, towel crunches, and ankle range of motions with a babst board are all beneficial and appropriate during this stage of treatment. After week six and x-rays are taken to confirm the ankle has healed, strengthening and weight bearing exercises can slowly be introduced to strengthen and reeducate the ankle back into a normal walking program and gait pattern. Swelling, popping, and decreased strength can be expected for at least the first year following the

If you were prescribed a pain medicine, do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking them.

In the first couple of days of rehab, she received high volt, and ice to help with the swelling she also did ankle pumps that also help with moving out the inflammation. As each day went by, towel scrunches, towel stretches were performed as three set each. Compression pumps were administered for 15 minutes several times a week, rhythmic stabilization, and aquatic therapeutic exercises were added as she