Achilles Tendon Injury
What is Achilles tendon?
The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body. Tendons are long, tough fibers that connect muscle to bone. The Achilles tendon is located at the back of the heel and connects the heel bone to the calf muscle. It helps a person to walk , run and jump. The Achilles tendon can tolerate stress , but sometimes injury to the tendon can occur when overstretched.
 |
Achilles Tendon Injury |
What is Achilles tendonitis?
Overuse of the Achilles tendon can cause the tendon to become swollen, inflamed, inflamed, and painful. This is Achilles tendonitis. This is a common sports injury associated with running, but it can happen to anyone who puts stress on their feet (e.g. basketball players and dancers). If a person is left untreated for Achilles tendonitis, the problem can become chronic (long-term) and make walking difficult.
What is an Achilles tendon rupture?
In the case of an Achilles tendon rupture, the tendon that connects the heel bone to the calf muscle is torn and the fibers separate. This mainly happens to people between the ages of 30 and 50, and is usually due to sporting activity.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
What Causes Achilles Tendonitis?
Achilles tendonitis is caused by a lot of stress on the foot. This is a common sports injury. Things that can cause tendinitis include:
- Push your body too fast and too soon
- Sudden increase in activity
- Quick start and stop sports
- Shoes that don't fit / shoes that don't fit
- Achilles tendon injury
- Run or exercise on uneven ground
- Run uphill
- Toned leg muscles
- Bone strain (extra bone in the heel that rubs on the tendon and causes pain)
- Flat arches, retracted feet (excessive contraction) and weak calf muscles
- Do not warm up before exercise
What are the symptoms of Achilles tendonitis?
Common symptoms of Achilles tendonitis include:
- Weakness in the legs
- Mild pain in the lower leg above the heel after activity
- The feeling of stiffness in the legs usually appears in the morning and subsides during the day
- Severe pain the day after exercise
- Pain when you climb stairs or uphill
- Swelling in the Achilles tendon region
What causes Achilles tendon rupture?
The cause of Achilles tendon rupture is very similar to that of Achilles tendonitis. Causes include:
- Run uphill;
- Runs on hard surfaces;
- Quickly change the pace from walking to running;
- Play sports that make you quick to start and stop.
What are the symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture?
Symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture include the following:
- Pop or click sound when tendon is torn
- Severe pain in the back of the ankle, difficulty walking
- Swelling and discoloration
- Tenderness
- Inability to rise above toes
- A space in the back of the ankle where the end of the tendon separates after it has been torn.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
How is Achilles tendonitis diagnosed?
If you think you have Achilles tendonitis, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your recent activity and look for signs, such as:
- The foot does not flex when the calf muscle is pressed (if the Achilles tendon is ruptured)
- Swelling on the back of the heel
- Pain in the back of the heel
- Limited range of motion in the ankle
An ultrasound or an MRI scan can check for tendonitis. If the tendon is enlarged, this can often be seen on radiographs (images).
How is Achilles tendon rupture diagnosed?
Your doctor will look at your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Usually, a physical exam alone is enough to diagnose an Achilles tendon rupture. Ultrasound or MRI may be used to determine the severity of the tear and the extent of separation of the fibers.
MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
How is Achilles tendonitis treated?
Nonsurgical treatment is usually recommended first. Pain that persists for more than six months may require surgery.
Non-surgical treatments include:
- Rest and stop activities that put stress on the tendon.
- Apply ice to the tendon for 15 minutes after exercising.
- Compress the tendon using a sports bandage or surgical bandage.
- Elevate extreme pain. You can reduce swelling by lying down and elevating your legs above your heart.
- Stretch ankles and calf muscles.
- Take an anti-inflammatory drug (eg, ibuprofen) to reduce swelling.
- Wear heels with running .
- Avoid walking barefoot or in shoes without heel support.
- Avoid walking incline, climbing stairs, and climbing stairs, if possible.
- Use a night splint.
- Participate in physical therapy.
- Depending on the severity of the pain, you may be able to use walking boots or a walking cast.
How is Achilles tendon rupture treated?
If you suspect you have ruptured your Achilles tendon, you should see your doctor right away. There are surgical and non-surgical ways to treat a rupture. Surgery is the most common treatment.
Non-surgical treatment
Feet and ankles are flexed with casts or boots. Cast or warm-up will last between 8 and 12 weeks. Physical therapy will follow.
Surgical treatment
Surgery is recommended for people who are young to middle-aged and active. The broken tendon is stitched back together during surgery. This is an outpatient procedure. After that, the foot is in a cast or boots. Physical therapy will be recommended as the tendon heals.
Healing is almost complete in about 4 to 6 months. However, it can take up to a year to return to full athletic activity.
PREVENT
How Can You Prevent Achilles Tendonitis?
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of Achilles tendonitis:
- Warm up each time before you exercise or play a sport.
- Transform your workouts.
- Slowly increase the duration and intensity workouts .
- Keep your muscles working and stay in shape all year round.
When you see symptoms of Achilles tendonitis, stop whatever activity you're doing and rest.
How do you prevent Achilles tendon rupture?
The methods of preventing Achilles tendonitis and Achilles tendon rupture are very similar:
- Keep in good shape.
- Stretch before exercising or playing sports.
- Strengthen your leg muscles slowly.
achilles tendon injury test
achilles tendon injury recovery
achilles tendon injury icd 10
achilles tendon injury exercises
achilles tendon injury prevention
achilles tendon injury in dogs
achilles tendon injury causes
achilles tendon injury assessment
achilles tendon injury acupuncture
achilles tendon injury after fall
achilles tendon injury and treatment
achilles tendon injury articles
