Achilles tendon rupture is defined as a rope like tendon of a fibrous tissue in the back of the ankle that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. When it is torn it usually happens two inches above the heel bone. The common symptoms of a rupture are swelling, stiffness, bruising. In addition, there are serve symptoms as too hearing a pop or snap in the Achilles. Serve pain in the back of the leg; it usually feels like someone has stepped on the back of the ankle. A gap or depression two inches above the heel bone and when pushing off when walking will be very impatient to near impossible. As you grow older the more common a rupture can happen. The …show more content…
There are two stages to the rehab process. Stage one mainly focuses on the range of motion and flexibility while stage two focuses on strengthening the tendon. Per http://www.stoneclinic.com/achilles-tendon-repair-rehab-protocol they have broken down the rehab process into weeks. Throughout weeks 0-3 a physical therapist goal is to decrease pain and edema. The ways they accomplish this is soft tissue mobilization and performing easy exercises like toe curls and possible swimming for a cardiovascular workout. Weeks 3-8 the goal is to have a zero degree for a dorsiflex and have full weight bearing around six weeks. To achieve this goal the exercises become harder. Some exercises include straight leg raises, side-lying hip abduction, isometrics, light active dorsiflexion, slowly increase the PROM, and gradually adding in stationary cycling. Still, during this period, you want to keep an eye for a decrease in edema. Also, massaging out any scar tissue that is forming. As time goes on the rehab becomes more intense. Between months three through six is when weight can be added into training. A regular squat, lunge, calf and toes raises can all be exercises for the patient to do. Month eight through nine is when the patient can start running and more physically demanding exercises. Even though rehab makes you a stronger and better athlete there are precautions that you should take. Physical therapists