How is an Achilles Tendon Rupture Treated?

The Achilles tendon is probably the most robust tendon within the body. The tendon attaches our posterior muscles to the heel bone, thus transmits the loads in the calf to the feet for running and walking. One significant anatomical problem with the Achilles tendon is that it along with the leg muscles is a two-joint design. Because of this the tendon along with the muscle traverses two joints – the knee and also the ankle. If throughout exercise the two joints are moving in contrary directions, in this case the ankle joint is dorsiflexing simultaneously that the knee is extending, then the stress on the Achilles tendon is really higher and when there may be some weakness or issue with the Achilles tendon it might tear or rupture. This can happen in sporting activities similar to tennis or volleyball in which there are lot of quick stop and start activity.

When the Achilles tendon does rupture it usually is fairly dramatic. Sometimes there's an discernable snap, although other times there could possibly be no pain and the athlete simply falls down since they loose all strength in the calf muscles through to the foot. There are plenty of videos of the tendon rupturing in athletes found in places like YouTube. A straightforward search there will locate them. The video clips reveal how dramatic the rupture is, exactly how easy it seems to take place and exactly how instantly debilitating it can be in the athlete as soon as it happens. Clinically a rupture of the Achilles tendon is quite evident to diagnose and evaluate, as once they contract the calf muscles, the foot won't move. When standing they can not raise up on to the toes. The Thompson test is a examination that when the calf muscle is compressed, then the foot should plantarflex. When the tendon is torn, then this doesn't happen.

The initial approach to an Achilles tendon rupture is ice and pain alleviation and for the athlete to get off the leg, normally in a walking brace or splint. You can find mixed thoughts and opinions on the ideal approach to an Achilles tendon rupture. One choice is operative, and the other option is to wearing a walking brace. The studies evaluating the two approaches is rather clear in demonstrating that there are no distinction between the two regarding the long term consequences, so you can be relaxed in understanding that whatever treatment solution is used, then the long terms outcomes are exactly the same. For the short term, the surgical approach can get the athlete returning to sport faster, however as always, any surgery treatment may have a modest anaesthetic danger and surgical wound infection risk. That risk should be compared to the necessity to return to the activity faster.

What's probably more significant compared to selection of the operative or non-surgical therapy is the actual rehabilitation just after. The evidence is extremely apparent that the quicker standing and walking and motion is completed, the better the end result. This really needs to be completed gradually and slowly permitting the Achilles tendon and the muscle to build up strength prior to the return to activity.