Tag: achilles tendon rupture

Treatment Options for an Achilles Tendon Rupture

A tear of the Achilles tendon is somewhat of a traumatic injury when it occurs and you will find a lot of video clips of the tear occurring to professional sports athletes as well as also to the weekend warrior sportsperson. The Achilles tendon is among the most powerful tendon in your body and is subject to a lot of stress because it traverses two joints, the ankle and the knee joints. If both these joints are moving in the alternative direction and the calf muscle contracts it is not difficult to observe that load on the tendon may result in a rupture. It is more common after the age of 40 and in sports activities such as basketball and tennis. Unusual for this type of traumatic injury, there's often not any or very little pain involved.

Detecting a tear is fairly easy. It is usually simple in accordance with the mechanism with the injury and just how it happened. There may be often an audible sound and also immediate decrease in power in the calf muscles. In the worst cases there exists a space that can be palpated within the tendon. An exam referred to as the Thompson test is often carried out. This involves the individual laying face down together with the foot over the end of the examination table and the clinician squeezes the calf muscles. When the tendon is intact the foot will flex. In the event the achilles tendon can be ruptured, then the foot doesn't plantarflex once the calf muscle is compressed. Another test, referred to as the O’Brien Needle Test involves sticking a little needle in to the top part of the tendon and then moving the foot. If the achilles tendon is torn the needle won't move. This specific evaluation is not used much now as most cases of a presumed rupture are examined and usually diagnosed with an ultrasound examination.

Once the diagnosis is established there are two key alternatives for the treating of an Achilles tendon rupture. The first is surgical and the other is non-surgical. Despite that call, the first treatment should really commence immediately by using ice to help keep the swelling manageable and maybe the use of a walking brace to relieve the strain on the tendon. The choice of the next treatment will depend on the preferences of the managing clinician as well as the desires of the individual. All of the research data does point out there being no disparities in final results between the operative versus the non-operative strategy. The surgical method might get the athlete back more rapidly but has the higher risk associated with just about any surgical procedure. The non-operative strategy involves the use of a walking brace to limit the movement of the foot and also ankle. Regardless of what strategy is employed, the rehabilitation is really important. An early on resume weightbearing is essential to boost the stresses on the achilles tendon. Right after walking has begun, progressive overload workouts are necessary to increase the strength of the tendon and also the calf muscle. The last period of the rehabilitation for the Achilles tendon rupture is to plan regarding a slow go back to sport. If the approach isn't done correctly, you will find a high chance that the injury could happen yet again.