How to deal with a rupture of the Achilles tendon?
The Achilles tendon is considered the strongest tendon within the body. The tendon attaches the posterior muscles to the heel bone, so transfers the loads in the calf muscles to the feet for walking and running. One big anatomical disadvantage of this Achilles tendon would be that it and also the leg muscles are a two-joint structure. Therefore the Achilles tendon along with the muscle crosses two joints – the knee and also the ankle. When during exercise the two joints are moving in opposite directions, in this instance the ankle is dorsiflexing simultaneously that the knee will be extending, then the force on the Achilles tendon is pretty higher and if there is some weakness or problem with the Achilles tendon it could possibly tear or break. This would happen in sporting activities such as tennis or volleyball where there are lot of rapid stop and start activity.
If the Achilles tendon will rupture it may be somewhat dramatic. Sometimes there is an audible snap, however in other cases there might be no pain and the athlete merely drops to the floor because they loose all strength in the leg muscles through to the foot. There are lots of videos of the Achilles tendon rupturing in athletes to be found in places like YouTube. A simple search there will locate them. The video clips clearly show how dramatic the rupture is, exactly how easy it appears to occur and ways in which immediately disabling it is in the athlete as soon as it occurs. Clinically a rupture of the Achilles tendon is really obvious to identify and assess, as once they contract the calf muscles, the foot will not likely move. When standing they are unable to raise on to the toes. The Thompson test is a check that whenever the calf muscle is squeezed, then the foot should plantarflex. When the Achilles tendon is torn, then this doesn't occur.
The initial approach to an Achilles tendon rupture is ice and pain relief and for the athlete to get off the leg, typically in a walking brace or splint. There are mixed thoughts and opinions on the definitive approach to an Achilles tendon tear. One choice is operative, and the alternative option is to wearing a walking brace. The research comparing the 2 options is pretty apparent in showing that there are no contrast between the two with regards to the long term consequences, so that you can be relaxed in knowing that whatever treatment methods are used, then the long terms results are similar. In the short term, the operative approach will get the athlete returning to sport a lot quicker, however as always, any surgical treatment does carry a small anaesthetic risk as well as surgical wound infection risk. That risk must be compared to the necessity to come back to the sport quicker.
What is quite possibly more significant compared to choice of the operative or non-surgical therapy is the rehabilitation immediately after. The evidence is pretty clear that the earlier weight bearing and motion is done, the greater the end result. This really needs to be undertaken gradually and slowly allowing the tendon along with the calf muscles to develop strength prior to a resumption of sporting activity.