Achilles Tendonitis Achilles Tendonitis and Ruptureand Rupture

Puʻuwai & MakanaPuʻuwai & Makana

Injury?Injury?

Achilles Tendonitis: irritation and Achilles Tendonitis: irritation and inflammation of the large tendon in the inflammation of the large tendon in the back of the ankle back of the ankle

Achilles Rupture: When you tear your Achilles Rupture: When you tear your Achilles. (can be ripped completely, or a Achilles. (can be ripped completely, or a partially tearpartially tear))

Bone Bone Structures/Ligaments/TStructures/Ligaments/T

endons Involvedendons Involved Achilles Tendonitis: Achilles Tendonitis:

No bones No bones oror ligaments ligaments involvedinvolved. . Achilles TendonAchilles Tendon

Achilles rupture: Achilles rupture: Calcaneus, no Calcaneus, no ligaments, ligaments, but the but the Achilles TendonAchilles Tendon

Aspect of the Leg?Aspect of the Leg?

Both are posterior aspectsBoth are posterior aspects

Signs and SymptomsSigns and Symptoms

Achilles Rupture: Achilles Rupture: Severe pain felt at the Severe pain felt at the back of the ankle or calf, (described as back of the ankle or calf, (described as someone stepping on the back of the someone stepping on the back of the ankle…..or being shot…)ankle…..or being shot…) May also hear the sound of a loud pop or May also hear the sound of a loud pop or

snapsnap

Gap or depression felt or seen two inches Gap or depression felt or seen two inches above the heel boneabove the heel bone

Initial swelling or stiffness to followInitial swelling or stiffness to follow

Stand on tippy toes and push off, negative Stand on tippy toes and push off, negative results will resemble as the rupture.results will resemble as the rupture.

Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms (cont.)(cont.)

Achilles Achilles Tendonitis: Tendonitis: Pain behind the Pain behind the

heel, most heel, most prominent 2-4 prominent 2-4 inches above the inches above the heelheel

Pain while Pain while walking, pushing walking, pushing off or jumpingoff or jumping

Inflammation Inflammation Lack of flexibilityLack of flexibility

TreatmentTreatment

Achilles Tendonitis:Achilles Tendonitis: Rest; avoid running and jumpingRest; avoid running and jumping

Ice, whirlpoolIce, whirlpool

Physical therapy/ rehabPhysical therapy/ rehab

Treatment (cont.)Treatment (cont.) Achilles Rupture:Achilles Rupture:

Protection Protection (immobilization up to (immobilization up to 6 weeks.)6 weeks.)

Surgical treatment Surgical treatment (cast)(cast)

Moving foot and Moving foot and ankle to prevent ankle to prevent stiffnessstiffness, but no , but no weight bearingweight bearing

Heel lift device Heel lift device for for supportsupport

Regular physical Regular physical therapytherapy

PrognosisPrognosis

Achilles Tendonitis:Achilles Tendonitis: Lifestyle changes: Stay in shape/ keep area Lifestyle changes: Stay in shape/ keep area

activeactive Continue to Continue to stretch and stretch and strengthen strengthen as you as you

continue to be active.continue to be active.

Achilles Rupture Surgery (heals faster) out for about 8 –

12 months Return to some limited physical activity

4-6 months after.