Your Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in your body, connecting your calf muscle to your heel bone. It serves the function of transferring the power of your calf muscle to the foot, allowing you to stand upright and engage in activities such as walking and running. Activities that involve jumping, landing or changing your direction have the potential to tear this tendon. Since many activities involving these motions are in sports played predominantly by men, Achilles tendon rupture occurs most frequently in men. You should always consult your physician and your physical therapist for your therapy needs.
Therapy the First Month After Surgery
You will be placed in a walking boot after surgery. This boot typically has the functions of an adjustable heel lift and adjustable plantarflexion. Plantarflexion is the motion you make when you move your toes away from your body. For the first two weeks after surgery, you will likely be instructed to elevate your leg and not to bear any weight on it. You will be on crutches. Between two and four weeks, you will be evaluated by your physician and your therapist and you will begin to bear weight on your leg as limited by your pain and swelling. Elevating your leg continues during this time as swelling is common.
Therapy the Second Month After Surgery
Between four and eight weeks after surgery, you will progress in the amount of weight bearing you will be able to perform. Your therapist will adjust the amount of plantarflexion as you progress by lowering plantarflexion from 20 to 30 degrees down to zero degrees. Your therapist will also monitor and adjust the heel lifts towards the middle of the second month and gradually remove the lift. During this time, you will also be taught sidestepping exercises, active ankle range of motion exercises and gentle stretching of your calf muscle. Your goal will be to work on a normal walking gait and to increase your range of motion.
Therapy the Third Month After Surgery
During the third month of therapy, your therapist will continue to work with you to achieve your goals of improving your range of motion, mobility and strength. You cannot perform impact activities, but you may be allowed to begin the use of a stationary bike, stair climber or engage in swimming.
Four Months After Your Surgery
At four months, you should have good control and minimal pain with normal activities and be progressing to more specific activities, including impact activities. Your therapist will help you to perform impact exercises and sport-specific exercises. Swelling at this stage is common and can continue for up to a year. Elevating your leg continues to be an important activity when this occurs.
