What does achilles tendon rehabilitation consist of?

Question: Its been about 2 months since I had surgery to repair a tear in my right achilles tendon. I should be out of a hard cast within 2-3 weeks and was wondering what kind of rehab I can expect, and how long it might take before I can run again. Thanks in advance.

Answers:
Hi. Hope I can give you a little info on what to expect. I've been a therapist for 23 years and have really seen some changes in the treatment of post achilles rehab. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body and can withstand forces of 1,000 pounds or more. But it is also the most frequently ruptured tendon. Your doc will either boot or cast you and many will have you begin some gentle stretching before you are even out of your immoblizer. Whatever you do - Don't rush it. It's your sure ticket back to the operating room. Go to your PT sessions which will begin will some stretching both active and passive. Ultrasound or e-stim modalities can be used to decrease the pain caused by the stretching. My best advice is to do the home exercises JUST as they are prescribed, don't do 50 more reps thinking it will make the recovery quicker. You should be back to a least an easy paced jog in 6 to 8 weeks. I can't advise you strongly enough not to push the recovery because you feel better. No reason you shouldn't be able to run a marathon if you like within 6-9 months of your surgery - as long as you treat your body with respect during the recovery. Pain is your body's way to say slow down! Hope this helps and good luck with your rehab! (Listen to your physical therapist, they know as much about active participation in your own recovery as the orthopedic surgeon does - just don't tell your doc I said that!)

Other Answers:
"Range of motion: In addition to appropriate foot and ankle adjustments, stretching of the tight and shortened gastrocnemius/soleus muscle complex is a necessary part of Achilles tendon rehabilitation. Gentle stretching should be started early, putting a linear stress on the tendons and stimulating connective tissue repair. The standard is the "runner's stretch," performed against a wall. Patients with tightness and pronation will often allow the foot to flare outward while stretching, which forces the medial arch to drop. This tendency must be carefully corrected, with the foot positioned straight ahead and the medial arch kept elevated.8 It is even better for the patient to perform the stretches with corrective orthotics in place."

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