Manual resistance exercises, but cautious with df resistance. In the late rehab phase after achilles tendon rupture repair you should focus more closely on proprioception. Rehabilitation protocol general principles this protocol for achilles tendon repair is designed to provide the rehabilitation professional with a general guideline for patient care with the alterg antigravity treadmill. Department of physiotherapy department of sport and exercise. Best achilles tendon exercises, rehab exercises to avoid rupture. Avoid creating pain discomfort is okay but pain should not occur and persist 3 days in a row. The goal is to improve your ankle and calf strength and to help the injured tissue heal properly. Achilles tendon rupture repair return to sport protocol. In general, you can expect to be immobilized initially after your achilles tendon tear. During that time, you may take the boot off to start some of your achilles rehab exercises. Rehabilitation guidelines for achilles tendon repair the achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in the body.
The goals of this surgery are to repair the torn achilles tendon, maximize function of adls, maximize quality of life, and. Avoid all passive motion into df for 1st 6 weeks postop 3. The following tips will help you treat your symptoms. Your achilles tendon is the biggest and strongest tendon in the body.
For an achilles tendon rupture, you can try a rehab program after surgery to repair the rupture. Consider taking a more conservative approach to range of motion, weight bearing, and rehab progression with tendon augmentation, rerupture after nonsurgical. Achilles repair rehabilitation protocol key considerations. It can allow you to gradually return to your normal activities. The surgical approach to repair the torn tendon requires postoperative. In the acute rehab phase after achilles tendon rupture repair you should educate the patient on the course a. Achilles tendon repair rehabilitation postoperative guideline. Achilles tendon rupture week 6 postop surgical repair feat. Specific intervention should be based on the needs of the individual and should consider exam findings and clinical decision making.
For achilles tendinopathy, physical therapy can decrease your pain. Rehabilitation guidelines for achilles tendon repair uw health. It can occur at any age but is most common between the ages of 30 and 50. This exercise will get you started on building strength after an achilles tendon injury. The injury is often accompanied by an audible and palpable pop with limited ability to push off of the injured limb. This guide demonstrates exactly how to perform certain eccentric calf strengthening exercises as part of your rehabilitation while managing your achilles tendinitis pain. Phases and time frames are designed to give a general sense of progression. It connects your calf muscles to your heel bone and is used when you walk, run, and jump. Torn achilles rehabilitation following surgery and non surgical.
It attaches your two calf muscles gastrocnemius and soleus to the heel bone calcaneus and helps you go up onto tiptoes. You may learn more about how the stone clinic repairs achilles tendon ruptures without open surgery in our explanation of achilles tendon injury, diagnosis and treatment. Brian grawe, md progression is based on healing constraints and functional progression specific to the patient. The diagnosis of an achilles tendon rupture is made from clinical history. The achilles tendon usually rupt ures without warning. Achilles tendon rupture affects about 1 in 15,000 people at any one time, increasing to 1 in 8,000 in competitive athletes. Rest gives the tendon time to heal and repair itself. Achilles tendon repair the achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in the body. Stand on a step with your heel off the edge of the step. It attaches the calf muscles soleus and gastrocnemius to the heel bone calcaneus. The tendon transmits force from the contracting calf muscles to the calcaneus to cause the foot action of plantar. Therapeutic exercises o standing heel raises o single leg eccentric lowering o stepups, side steps o proprioception exercises balance board phase iv months 36 o progress with strengthening, proprioception and gait training activities o begin light jogging at 1214 weeks o runningcutting at 16 weeks. It usually involves exercises, stretches, and other. Achilles tendon repair rehab protocol weight bearing walking boot exercises 0 2 weeks non weight bearing at all times until.
Achilles tendon rupture repair return to sport protocol keys for achilles tendon rehabilitation. Postop days 1 10 bracesplint watch for skin breakdown crutches non weight bearing nwb active motion arom hip and knee wiggle toes straight leg raise slr x 4 lower extremity le stretches hamstring, quads, itb, hip flexors ice. This protocol for achilles tendon repair is designed to provide the rehabilitation professional with a general guideline for patient care with the alterg antigravity treadmill. This protocol provides you with general guidelines for initial stage and progression of rehabilitation according to specified time frames, related tissue tolerance and directional preference of movement. It is designed for rehabilitation following post operative achilles tendon repair. It is found at the back of the lower leg, just above the heel bone. They can be repeated several times a day, utilising 4060 s holds, 45 times, to reduce pain and maintain some muscle capacity and tendon load. Achilles tendon repair is performed after injury occurs to the achilles tendon. Rehabilitation protocol for achilles tendon repair massachusetts. The physical therapy exercise program to rehab an achilles tendon tear or. Pt exercises for achilles tendon tear verywell health. Physio fitness physio rehab tim keeley 145,211 views. Purpose of this study was to repair achilles tendon rupture with protection of the integrity of the tendon without the need for the joint immobilization and prevent the complications reported with. Therefore, we recommend two different exercises to stretch each.
This protocol provides you with general guidelines for initial stage and progression of rehabilitation according to specified. The achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body. Achilles tendon repair rehabilitation protocol this rehabilitation protocol was developed for patients who have had a repair of an acute achilles tendon rupture. If you hurt your achilles tendon the band of tissue that connects your calf muscle to your heel bone you may need physical therapy pt. The tendon transmits force from the contracting calf muscles to the calcaneus to cause the foot action of plantar flexion foot pointed down.
When the achilles tendon is inflamed, it can tighten and cause discomfort. The achilles tendon is made up of two separate muscles. Rehabilitation rehab andor physical therapy are the usual treatment for an achilles tendon injury. Physical therapy for achilles tendon pain and injury. Turn your face in a wall and twist your two legs so that your injured foot will be at the back as it is. Cole,md,mba weight bearing brace rom exercises phase i 02 weeks as tolerated with crutches and brace locked in full extension for sleeping and all activity off for exercises and hygiene 02 weeks. Rehabilitation protocol achilles tendon repair alterg.
Your doctor or physiotherapist can help you move on to more challenging exercises as you heal and get stronger. Modifications to this guideline may be necessary dependent on physician. As such, it should be stressed that this is only a protocol and should not be a substitute for professional clinical decisionmaking regarding a patients progression. As such, it should be stressed that this is only a protocol and should not be a substitute. Initiate overall exercise and endurance training walking, swimming, progress biking. It is designed for rehabilitation following postoperative achilles tendon repair. If it does, rest the patient until pain level is clearly decreasing. These exercises should be done in a position where there is no tendon compression, usually in the midrange of the muscle. Department of physiotherapy department of sport and. For best outcomes, the achilles tendon repair is typically performed within 2 weeks of the injury and recovery is expected to take between 6 to 9 months.
Your physical therapist may also perform manual stretching for the. The runners stretch, or calf stretch, will provide relief by loosening the tendon to do this. Achilles tendinitis is a common condition that causes pain along the back of the leg near the heel. The speed at which a particular patient can progress with the rehabilitation exercises will vary and should at all times be done under the supervision of a qualified professional. Achilles tendon repair postop rehabilitation protocol. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may be required to wear a cam boot or removable cast for four to six weeks. No weightbearing none 2 4 weeks full with 2 heel wedges in boot worn at all times removed for hygiene and exercises while seated active dorsi. Specific changes in the program will be made by the. This can lead to possible tendon rupture with forceful pushing off during activities such as basketball, tennis or racquetball. Rom should be measure in both open and closedchain methods. Dependent upon the patient and quality of the repair, weight bearing status postoperatively as well as the intensity and time frame of initiation of functional activities will vary. Achilles tendon repair massachusetts general hospital. Achilles tendon repair rehabilitation postoperative guideline this rehabilitation program is designed to return the individual to their activities as quickly and safely as possible.
Achilles tendon repair rehab protocol below we outline the steps that we have our patients take to recover from achilles tendon repair surgery. Top 5 exercises to rehab achilles tendinitis builtlean. Mar 15, 2019 instructions and videos guide you through achilles tendon stretches and exercises that you can use to speed your recovery from injury, improve mobility, and prevent future injuries. Rehabilitation protocol for achilles tendon repair this protocol is intended to guide clinicians and patients through the postoperative course for an achilles tendon repair. Achilles tendon rupture repair department of orthopaedic surgery. Jul 05, 2019 a complete rupture of the achilles tendon is a serious injury and rehabilitation should be a very gradual process taking 6 to 9 months. The achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body. Calf girth, plantar flexor strength and ankle rom are all keys to full recovery. Acute achilles tendon rupture repair rehab youtube. Here are guidelines that will help you in preparing for surgery to repair your achilles tendon. We have remained at the forefront of medicine by fostering a culture of collaboration, pushing the boundaries of medical research, educating the brightest medical minds and maintaining an unwavering commitment to the diverse communities we serve. Acute versus chronic, as well as, concomitant procedures, and physiologic age of the patient. As with any muscle or tendon in the body, the achilles tendon can be torn if there is a high. Sports medicine physical therapy rehabilitation protocols.
It allows us to extend our ankle plantar flexion and. Manual full passive range of motion of the achilles weeks 812. There are a few essential stretching and strengthening exercises that can help you rehab your achilles tendon and get back to your workouts painfree. Rehabilitation guidelines for achilles tendon repair. Over time the tendon may become thickened causing constant or recurring pain and stiffness. Dec 12, 2016 achilles tendon exercises after injury, rupture exercises and easier exercises should be done in the first days after surgery.
180 570 81 1489 607 691 1597 868 310 681 919 912 1548 559 561 834 268 1071 1144 860 560 669 40 631 207 1438 1006 5 810 1457 172 588 713 857 316 348 615 209 1470 1084 227 780 1247