Achilles Physical Therapy Reconstruction and Tendon Rupture

Achilles Physical Therapy Reconstruction and Tendon Rupture www.requestphysicaltherapy.com

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is the treatment of a disease or condition by physical or mechanical means, such as through exercise or heating. A physical therapist provides this treatment. He will also provide education, instruction & support for recovery.

For Achilles tendon injuries, the following treatments are often used.

Stretching & flexibility exercises. This is the key to helping heal your tendons without reducing and causing long-term pain.

Strengthening training. They will help you regain strength that you might lose when the tendon is healing and they will help protect you from other injuries.

Ultrasound heat therapy. This increases blood circulation, which can help the healing process.

Massage inside. This helps you increase flexibility & blood circulation in the lower legs. It can also help prevent further injury.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation for rupture of the Achilles tendon helps you regain strength and flexibility in the tendons and legs. You can do it at home or at the gym. Your doctor or physical therapist will design the program for you. He will consider the level of your normal activity, physical fitness, and level of injury to the Achilles tendon. You may need rehabilitation after an Achilles tendon injury whether you have an operation or not.

Rehabilitation programs may include:

- Stretching and flexibility exercises.

- Strengthening exercises.

- Endurance activities, such as riding a stationary bicycle.

 Coordination or Agility Training.

Recovery varies among people. That depends on how severe the tendon is injured & whether you complete your program. Giving time and energy to your rehabilitation program will speed up your recovery and help prevent future injuries.

Problems affecting the Achilles tendon include tendocalcaneal bursitis, tendonitis / paratendonitis, tendinopathy or tendonosis, and Achilles tendon rupture. Each of these conditions will be explained. These problems often affect athletes, especially runners, basketball players, and anyone involved in jumping sports. They are also common, however, among middle-aged adults active & sedentary (inactive). Severe cases can cause rupture of the Achilles tendon.

This guide will help you to understand:

where is the Achilles tendon located

what kind of Achilles tendon problem is there

how does the injured Achilles tendon cause problems

how do health care professionals diagnose the condition

what treatment options are available

Philip Physical Therapy's approach to rehabilitation

Where is the Achilles tendon, and what does it do?

The Achilles tendon is a very strong and fibrous band that connects the calf muscle to the heel. Calves are actually formed by two muscles, the underlying soleus and the thick outer gastrocnemius. Together, they form the gastroc-soleus muscle group. Insertion of the gastroc-soleus group into the heel is called an enthesis.

 

Achilles Physical Therapy Reconstruction and Tendon Rupture www.moriartypt.com

Foot Anatomy of Ligaments & Tendons

When the muscles contract the calves, they pull the Achilles tendon, causing your feet to point down & help you climb into your toes. This strong muscle group is very active when you run, jump or climb but is also active during every regular step you take. Some different problems can occur that affect the Achilles tendon, some are rather mild and some quite severe.

Tendocalcaneal Bursitis

Bursa is a fluid filled bag designed to limit friction between rubbing body parts. These sacs, or bursae, are found in many places in the body. When the bursa becomes inflamed, this condition is called bursitis. Tendocalcaneal bursitis is inflammation of the bursa behind the heel bone. These exchanges usually limit friction when the thick fibrous Achilles tendon that stretches on the back of the calf slides up and down behind the heel. With increased or recurrent activity that causes increased friction, bursitis in this area can develop.

Achilles Tendonitis / Paratendonitis

Hard strains can cause trauma to the calf muscle or Achilles tendon. This injury can occur during strong muscle contractions, such as when running & running. Landing on the ground after the jump can move the foot up, also causing injury. Strains can affect different parts of the calf muscle or Achilles tendon. For example, tension can occur in the center of the muscle, or it may occur where the muscle joins the Achilles tendon (called the musculotendinous junction). This strain causes an inflammatory process around the tendon. Initially, irritation to the outer layer of the tendon, called paratenon, is affected by inflammation, which causes paratendonitis. Paratendonitis is just inflammation of the layer around the tendon. Increased activity or the start of new activities that are not used by the body can also cause the outer layer to become inflamed. Sometimes even the use of new footwear leads to additional tension in the tendon which leads to inflammation.

The use of the term tendonitis to describe common Achilles tendon injuries has been debated in recent years due to the fact that the 'itis' suffix, in medical terms, indicates the inflammatory process that occurred. Research has really shown that in the case of chronic Achilles pain, there are no signs of acute inflammation so it is theoretically inappropriate to use the 'itis' suffix to describe this injury. The general terminology of tendonitis generally refers to two subsets of separate injuries: paratendonitis, & tendonosis.

Achilles Physical Therapy Reconstruction and Tendon Rupture www.verywellhealth.com

Rupture of the Achilles Tendon

In severe cases, the strength of the shock strain can even damage the Achilles tendon. A classic example is a middle-aged tennis player or weekend warrior who puts too much pressure on the tendon and experiences tendon tears. In some cases, the rupture can be preceded by a period of Achilles paratendonitis, or tendonosis, which makes the tendon weaker than usual.

Physical Therapy after Breast Reconstruction

I have the honor & pleasure of interviewing my physical therapist, Leslie Drawdy, to discuss the value of physical therapy after breast reconstruction. Before we share the information that has been discussed, I want to share my personal story and how I met Leslie.

My breast surgeon, Dr. Michele Boyce Ley, suggested that I start physical therapy immediately after the mastectomy he had succeeded. I went for a follow-up appointment after postoperative healing & told him about new onset and shoulder discomfort, especially when I was on my computer. Knowing how much time I spent on my computer, he gave me a physical therapist who qualified. I chose Leslie because she was a lymphedema specialist. Even though I don't have lymphedema, I think, who knows more about the lymphatic system and post breast cancer mastectomy patients? I hit a home run.

Physical Therapy Collage

I was not only impressed with his professionalism, expertise and knowledge, but our personality blended well. In addition, my experience with him after my DIEP breast reconstruction was an even more interesting story. My plastic micro surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, suggested that I start physical therapy as soon as I flew back home after my DIEP surgery. He told me this on my visit

physical therapy collage

I was not only impressed with his professionalism, expertise and knowledge, but our personality blended well. In addition, my experience with him after my DIEP breast reconstruction was an even more interesting story. My plastic micro surgeon, Dr. Minas Chrysopoulo, suggested that I start physical therapy as soon as I flew back home after my DIEP surgery. He told me this on my visit when I was in San Antonio. I returned home in four short days after seeing him and I felt panic when he used the word immediately.

How will I find a physical therapist to see immediately? I thought he recognized my panic stare & gladly offered to find one in my city that he could recommend. Being tired and tired from surgery is very suitable for easy confusion. Of course, I want to find the best physical therapist after lying on the operating table for 9 hours to rebuild my breasts! They knew better what they were doing before they touched what I was then and still considered the artwork, my new breasts, even in a state of bruising and healing just two weeks after surgery.