Your Achilles tendon is the tendon that connects your lower leg to your foot. It is responsible for allowing stability and movement in your foot, particularly the ability to point your foot down and raise your heel off the ground. A rupture of this tendon can occur as a result of jumping and cutting movements when participating in sports. This injury can also occur as a result of weakness in your lower leg. Treatment for this injury can include surgical repair and a period of physical therapy. The exact protocols of physical therapy following an Achilles tendon repair can vary depending on your level of activity and overall health.
Stretching Exercises
When prescribed, perform stretching exercises exactly as directed by your physical therapist and/or orthopaedic surgeon. These exercises are designed to help restore range of motion to your foot, and include stretching your foot by pulling your toes toward your body. Other stretches include using a towel to pull your foot closer to your body without using the muscles of your injured leg. Stop stretching immediately if you feel severe pain in your Achilles tendon.
Stabilization Exercises
Stabilization exercises are performed to help strengthen the muscles used to stabilize your ankle. They can include leg movements against the resistance of a therapeutic resistance band. The exercises are often performed while standing on your injured leg and moving your uninjured limb. Check with your doctor to determine which stabilization exercises are right for you.
Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening exercises are often prescribed a month or more following the surgical repair of your Achilles tendon. They include exercises to restore strength to your ankle. These exercises often focus on movements that place your Achilles tendon under stress by forcing it to shorten and lengthen under stress. Strengthening exercises often include toe raises and balancing on your injured leg.
Ultrasound
Heat therapy, or ultrasound, uses high-pitch sound waves to help stimulate blood flow and help speed your healing process on a cellular level. In addition to helping stimulate blood flow, ultrasound can heat your muscles and the tissues of your ankle to help restore movement and reduce stiffness. It is also used to help relax and restore your muscular function by helping stimulate the flow of nutrients to your Achilles tendon and the surrounding tissues.
References
- American Academhy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Achilles Tendonitis
- Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Center: Achilles Tendon Repair Post-Operative Instructions
- New York Physical Therapy: Achilles Tendon Tear and Repair
- Marin Physical Therapy: Ankle and Foot Strengthening Exercises
- Marin Physical Therapy: Ankle and Foot Stability Exercises
- Detroit Medical Center: Achilles Tendon Surgery
