It can be very painful to experience an Achilles tendon rupture and it will require the right type of treatment to recover successfully. That's why it's important to know your options so that you can get on the right road to recovery quickly and safely.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Depending on the severity of the rupture, your doctor may recommend a non-surgical treatment. You'll need to wear a brace, boot, or cast on your foot to immobilize the ankle, which will allow the tendon to heal on its own over time. This is a very conservative approach to recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture and is best for people that have partial tears due to the risk of surgery. You'll just need to make sure that you have regular appointments with your doctor to follow up on the treatment and make sure you're healing properly.
Surgical Treatment
More severe injuries to the Achilles tendon will require surgery. This is also more common for people that have concerns about the strength of their Achilles tendon by using a non-surgical treatment, such as when they are an athlete or have a very active lifestyle. The surgery works by reattaching the torn tendon by using sutures. The surgery itself is minimally invasive, and the foot will need to remain immobile afterward so that it can heal.
The main advantage of having a surgical treatment is the speed of the recovery. You'll be back on your feet much faster than if you tried a non-surgical treatment. There is also less of a risk of the Achilles tendon re-rupturing because the surgical procedure will get you as close as possible to being at full strength.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is always going to be necessary if you use a non-surgical or surgical approach to repairing your Achilles tendon rupture. The purpose of going through rehabilitation is to restore flexibility and strength to the Achilles tendon. You'll be assisted through various stretches, exercises, and techniques that can help your affected ankle become more mobile over time. Of course, it is up to the patient to attend these rehabilitation sessions to work on their own health, but it plays a crucial role in recovery.
Lifestyle Modifications
You may want to make lifestyle modifications after an Achilles tendon rupture to make sure that it doesn't happen again. This includes wearing the right kind of footwear for physical activities and avoiding actions that can put a lot of strain on the repaired tendon.
To learn more, contact an orthopedist in your area such as Dr. Mark Drakos Orthopedic Surgeon.
Share26 May 2023
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