The Achilles tendon, the largest tendon, is one of the most common tendons to rupture. This tendon stretches from your calf muscles all the way to the bones of the heel. The Achilles tendon is frequently injured and in most cases it is mild and just feels like a burning sensation/pain or stiff; however approximately 30,000 people in the United States aging from 30 to 49 experience severe injury meaning the tendon is torn or ruptured.
There are many different type of treatment for the Achilles tendon injury. Physical Therapy is one of the main ways to treat any type of Achilles tendon injury. At Oklahoma Physical Therapy we will create a customized therapy plan that may include the following
- Stretching Exercises
- Strengthening exercises help the tendon heal without causing long term pain at Oklahoma Physical Therapy we will work with you to create a customized exercise plan
- Strengthening Exercises
- During the time of healing you may have lost strength in the tendon and Oklahoma Physical Therapy’s customized exercises will help strengthen the tendon
- Cold Therapy
- At Oklahoma Physical Therapy our therapists may use cold packs and ice massages which decrease blood flow and should decreases pain and swelling
- Heat Therapy
- Our therapists may choose to use moist hot packs, heating pads or paraffin which allows the blood flow to increase causing your muscles to relax as well as helps heal body tissues and prepares your muscles for stretching and strengthening exercises
- Deep Massage
- A deep massage may be done to increase blood circulation and help the tendons prevent injury in the future
The above are non-surgical treatments for any type of Achilles tendon injury. Your injury may be severe and may require surgical treatment. After surgery your physician will recommend physical therapy. At Oklahoma Physical Therapy we will work with you and your doctor to create a customized plan that will increase your mobility and get you back to your normal daily activities. Within 3 to 8 weeks after surgery our treatment options would include the following
- R.I.C.E. (Protection-Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation)
- PRICE controls inflammation while allowing healing and recovery to take place
- Manual Therapy
- Therapeutic Exercises
- Trigger Point Dry Needling (TrP-DN)
- TrP-DN aids to alleviate soreness and tenderness that is associated with trigger points
Contact Oklahoma Physical Therapy today and let one of our trained Physical Therapists treat your Achilles tendon injury and get you back to your daily activities.