1. Achilles Tendon Rupture BY: Chris Byrom

2. Anatomy  Achilles tendon 1.Largest tendon in the body 2.Attaches the Calcaneus to the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles (THE CALF MUSCLES) 3.When the calf muscles flex the Achilles pulls up the heal and makes us stand up on our toe 4.The motion Is provided from the tibial nerve 5.During running the load can support as high as 9 KN which is approximately 12.5 times your normal weight 6.The Achilles tendon is made of a tough band of fibrous tissue 7.FIBORUS TISSUE: Tissue made of collagenous white fibers between which are rows of connective tissue

3. Causes  Causes –This injury appears usually 6 CM above the calcaneus where the tendon attaches –Falling from high up –Over exertion of the muscles and not letting the tendon and muscles to recover –Stepping in a hole –medical conditions such as Cushing's syndrome. This is when the body makes to much of corticosteroid hormones. –Tendonitis and previous tears –Sports »Gymnastics, running, football, dance, tennis and other high impact sports around the lower leg region

4. Diagnosis & symptoms  Procedure »The physician will look for tenderness or swelling in the lower leg region »Another check they might do is squeeze your calf muscle and if the foot does not flex then you probably have a rupture (Thompsons test) »Pain (possibly severe) »Swelling »Inability to push down on your toe »This will hinder your ability to walk properly »A snap when you get the injury

5. Treatment  Surgery »The point of this surgery is to regain the function of the Achilles tendon that was ruptured »Athletes are most suitable to this surgery and those who are not suitable are those who have unhealthy or infected skin around the rupture 1.Appears on a outpatient setting where the patient comes in gets surgery and leaves that day 2.Numbing medication is often applied to the patients lower leg 3.This surgery takes around 90 minutes long or 1:30:00

6. Treatment part 2 1.Open repair is a common way to repair the injury 2.This is done by a incision made on the back of the lower leg starting just above the heel bone that then goes down the leg 3.Next is the doctor finds where the rupture accord and stitches them together 4.After surgery the patient is placed in a splint or cast from the toes to just below the knee 5. The patient is then not allowed to put Wight on the injured leg and is given a crutches walker etc. 6. If the numbing medication was given the patient might feel numb 7. After two weeks the patient comes back to the office and is evaluated and stitches are normally removed at this time 8. The patient is then allowed to use a weight bearing boot and is encouraged to involve ankle movement

7. Return to play  With the help of physical therapy, most people can return to normal activity in 4 to 6 months after the surgery  you will learn exercises to make your calf muscles stronger and your Achilles tendon more flexible »The patient should stretch before exercising »After going through therapy the athlete can return to training EX: From sportsinjuryclinic.net Day 1: walk 4 minutes jog 2 minutes repeat four times Day 2: rest Day 3: walk 4 minutes jog 3 minutes repeat three times Day 4: rest Day 5: walk 3 minutes jog 4 minutes repeat 4 times Day 6: rest Day 7: walk 2 minutes jog 6 minutes repeat 4 times

8. Works CITED SPORTSINJURYCLINIC.NET: http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/ankle-achilles-shin- pain/total-rupture-achilles-tendon/rehabilitation-achilles-ruptures AOFAS.ORG: http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Achilles-Tendon- Rupture-Surgery.aspx http://www.aofas.org/footcaremd/treatments/Pages/Achilles-Tendon- Rupture-Surgery.aspx NLM.NIH.GOV: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000546.htm MAYOCLINIC.ORG: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achilles-tendon- rupture/basics/definition/con-20020370 Paitent.co.uk: http://www.patient.co.uk/health/achilles-tendon-rupture