Rehabilitation after Achilles rupture
Rupture of the Achilles tendon is considered an injury that athletes are most susceptible to, but it is possible to get a rupture at home. In 90% of cases, full recovery is possible only with the help of surgery, and it is impossible to return to full-fledged activity and life without a subsequent course of rehabilitation.
The content of the article
Types of Achilles Tendon Injury
Achilles tendon after injury may have:
- Stretching. This is the easiest type of injury, and the tendon returns to normal after a short fixation of the joint, and a short recovery process;
- Partial tendon rupture. In this case, the traumatologist, after a series of studies, decides on the need for surgery. If most of the tendon is intact, the patient's ankle is fixed, and after some time a course of restorative procedures is prescribed;
- Complete rupture of the tendon, recovery in which is possible only by the surgical method. With a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon, recovery occurs in several stages, which include the postoperative period.
In each of the presented cases, a recovery period is necessary, and the intensity of the loads, duration, conditions, are recommended by the attending physician individually to each patient.
Postoperative period
There are two types of Achilles tendon surgery:
- Open surgery to ligate, stitch, or implant a torn tendon;
- A closed operation in which the tendon is tightened without a skin incision. Through special punctures, the surgeon sews the torn parts together and tightens them with suture threads.
In both cases, the postoperative and rehabilitation period are the same.
Immediately after the operation, a splint is applied to the operated leg from the toes to the upper thigh. The leg is fixed with an extended toe in the “away from you” position. Thus, tension is removed from the calf muscle, to which the operated tendon is attached.
On the 2nd - 3rd day after the operation, a magnetic field is applied to the area of the postoperative wound. Daily, for 10 days, this procedure is aimed at improving blood circulation, as well as reducing the possibility of adhesion formation.
It is very important in the first three weeks not to allow the slightest stretching of the calf muscle and tendon in order to avoid a rupture at the suture site. The longet is removed only for dressing and processing the seam. After removing the sutures on the 5th - 7th day, the splint remains for another two weeks.
At this point, easy rehabilitation after the operation begins. It includes general gymnastics to maintain the tone of the whole body. Exercises are performed sitting and lying down. Exercises for the upper body can be performed with the help of simulators, provided that the operated leg is treated with care.
Within two months after the operation, you will have to use crutches, and this is a significant burden for an untrained body, and overweight patients.
After three weeks, the plaster splint is shortened to the knee, and the patient can bend the leg at the knee. This facilitates movement with crutches, allows you to take a more comfortable sitting and lying position.
Recovery from an Achilles tendon rupture during this period is to increase activity. To the above, you need to add hip exercises. Due to intense workloads:
- Improves blood circulation;
- Several atrophied thigh muscles are restored;
- The general condition improves;
- Preparations are underway for the subsequent, effective period of rehabilitation.
rehabilitation period
6 weeks after the operation, the splint is fixed, the leg is fixed, and removed. And it is important to immediately begin a course of recovery after an Achilles rupture. This is an intensive course of procedures, including:
- Observation of a rehabilitation specialist - orthopedist, analysis of the process, dynamics of recovery;
- Massage;
- Physiotherapy room;
- Water procedures;
- Electrical stimulation of the posterior leg muscles.
After removing the splint, the doctor conducts an examination and gives recommendations on the correct setting and stretching of the ankle. The foot hardly returns to its usual position, and the correct setting of the angle depends on the level of stretching of the tendon.
The patient continues to use crutches, but he is able to lean slightly on his leg.
Some patients, having specified how long the rehabilitation after an Achilles tendon rupture lasts, refuse these procedures in the hope of coping with this task on their own. In the absence of the necessary knowledge in this area, the patient may not calculate his strength. With insufficient stretching and development, contracture is possible, and with excessive load, a repeated rupture.
Observation of a rehabilitologist
The whole process must be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician. In the best case, take a course directly under the supervision of the doctor who performed the operation. This practice is common, and has a positive result.
The doctor observes the dynamics of the whole process, and changes the intensity of a particular procedure, notes the changes.
Massage
A light massage of the ankle and calf muscles immediately after removing the splint radically changes both the physical and emotional state. A muscle that has been in a static position for a long time is atrophied, and the purpose of the massage is to increase tone and improve blood circulation.
Already after the first procedure, the patient feels an improvement due to the effect on the part of the body that has been immobilized for a long time.
Massage, with each procedure becomes more intense, and only after a thorough warming up of the muscle, the patient goes to the exercise therapy room.
Physiotherapy room
From the first days of rehabilitation after a rupture of the Achilles tendon, the intensity of the load increases in the physiotherapy room. The first exercises are aimed at stretching the tendon.
To reduce the load, exercises are carried out while sitting, or with the help of an arm rest. With the help of special simulators, exercises are carried out to restore muscle tone.
The rehabilitation doctor monitors the step setting, the presence of foot rolling, and performs procedures that reduce stress. Massage devices for the foot help to quickly and painlessly stretch the tendon, and set the desired angle of the foot.
Standing on the toe is carried out only on two legs, running and jumping cannot be used in the first days of the rehabilitation course, since there is a high chance of a repeated rupture without proper stretching of the tendon and development of the calf muscle.
After 2.5 - 3 months after the operation, provided that the patient performs all the prescribed exercises, you can start putting on the toe, easy running. Jumping is best avoided for the first 6 to 7 months after surgery.
For a full recovery, you must constantly monitor the quality of the step, do the necessary exercises.
Water exercises and electrical stimulation
Rehabilitation after an Achilles rupture is faster when using all the possible procedures presented by the clinic. Exercises in the pool, thanks to the support of water, are easier. Swimming quickly restores muscle tone, allows you to perform exercises of any complexity.
Electrical muscle stimulation - forced contraction of the back muscles of the ankle. Atrophy after prolonged immobilization does not allow the full use of the tendon, and the action of the current, aimed at muscle contraction, leads them to tone. Thanks to this procedure, combined with exercise therapy and massage, the recovery process is much easier and painless.
Recovery without surgery
Repair of a torn Achilles tendon without surgery is possible only in case of a partial rupture. In this case, the patient's ankle is fixed, as in the case of a complete rupture, depending on the severity of the injury. Rehabilitation after a rupture of the Achilles tendon, even with a partial rupture, proceeds in the same way as with a complete rupture.
In any case, only a traumatologist can correctly assess the severity and prescribe treatment.
Operations of this kind are not performed on people with diabetes, the elderly, and patients with heart disease.
Rehabilitation after a sports injury
The rehabilitation of athletes after an Achilles rupture is aimed at the fastest possible recovery, and enhanced special training is added to the above process.
Due to good physical shape, full recovery occurs much earlier than in people far from sports.
Even light running is included in the training regimen no earlier than 3-4 months, and a full return to sports is possible only 6 months after the operation.
In case of an injury of any kind, the conclusion of a traumatologist is necessary. The sooner treatment is started, the easier the surgery and recovery process will be.
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