Tough decision to know what to do with an achilles tendon rupture

July 5, 2012 - PRLog -- Podiatry Arena, the most popular podiatry website, announces that all the research as well as considered opinions on an Achilles tendon rupture is now available as a clinical symposium. An Achilles tendon rupture is not common but is very dramatic when it happens. The rupture can occur in the young and old, fit and unfit, males and females. It usually occurs during sport such as during a game of tennis or playing a field sport like football. The calf muscles attached to the Achilles tendon cross two joints, so if both joints simultaneously move in opposite directions to each other, then the load placed on the tendon may exceed what the tendon can take and rupture. The person that has this can often hear an audible snap and they will immediately start to limp. It is usually not difficult to palpate the gap in the tendon. It is also very difficult to raise the heel off the ground when standing, which should be obvious.

While the diagnosis is usually easy to make, what is more difficult is the decision as to what is the best treatment option. There are two main ones. One is to place the foot and leg into a cast to immobilize it. The other option is to surgically repair the tendon. The reason the choice is difficult is that all the research has shown that the outcomes between the two approaches is usually the same. So the choice is often up to the treating doctor and the person with the rupture and if they are a good candidate or not for surgery. The symposia ( http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/showthread.p... ) on Podiatry Arena has all the different research that has been published in the last five years, as well as some leading opinions on the topic. The discussion will allow clinicians and those with a rupture to be better informed as to the best approach ( http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/showthread.p... ).

Whichever approach is used it is extremely important that careful attention is given to the rehabilitation and the return to sports activity after the rupture. As there is scar tissue present, the structure is weakened and the possibility of it happening again if there is poor rehabilitation is high. This risk should not be taken lightly. For this reason most experts recommend an extended course of physical therapy to give the best chance of a recovery.  The return to sport afterwards needs to be slow and gradual.