Rehabilitation after an Achilles tendon rupture
Treatment of an Achilles tendon rupture is followed by a lengthy rehabilitation phase.
This is independent of whether a conservative treatment method or an operative method was chosen.
First of all Leg immobilized become. Mostly for about 6 weeks in a special shoe and at an angle by adding the Pointed foot is brought. The shoe should be worn for 24 hours. After 6 weeks the wearing time of the shoe is reduced, i.e. the leg only needs to be immobilized during the day.
About two weeks after the operation, the To correct the equinus angle. The alignment of the special shoe can slowly be changed. Every week the foot can be brought a little closer to the normal position. Before the shoe can be completely taken off after a total wearing time of approx. 8 weeks, the foot is in its usual position.
Now the physical therapy with exercises above all initially in passive exercises consist. The therapist slowly moves the foot up and down.
These movements are usually particularly difficult for patients at the beginning of the rehabilitation phase, as the movements are no longer used due to the long immobility.
In addition, the newly grown together must Achilles tendon first "learn" to move and contract again.
In order to be able to carry out the passive movements on the foot even better, a so-called Motor rail are used. This is a frame in which the leg is placed and a certain leg and foot movement is carried out in the same repeating rhythm. The advantages here are that the patient is not overloaded and the exercises in the motorized rail can be completed without additional staff.
After performing the passive exercises, the patient should start doing them active the Musculature reinstall. Experience has shown that this section of rehabilitation is difficult for patients after the long rest period. Basically, the patient is allowed to fully load the leg again at this point. As a rule, patients only manage to perform fully at the beginning. Independent movements in the form of bending and stretching the foot are not yet possible or only insufficiently possible.
In order to challenge the patient again and not to relieve too much work, the use of the motorized rail is no longer necessary.
Physiotherapy stand now Gait training and Standing training on the program. Furthermore, exercises for circling the foot are performed. The patient is asked to bend and stretch the foot as steeply as possible. The possible angle is noted and tries to increase it in the following days.
After about 2-3 months rehabilitation is complete.
Appointment with an expert in Achilles tendonitis?
I would be happy to advise you!
Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
But now enough is indicated ;-)
Athletes (joggers, soccer players, etc.) are particularly often affected by the Achilles tendonitis disease. In many cases, the cause of the Achilles tendonitis cannot be identified at first. Therefore, the treatment requires a lot of experience. I focus on Achilles tendonitis.
The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.
You can find me in:
- Lumedis - your orthopedic surgeon
Kaiserstrasse 14
60311 Frankfurt am Main
Directly to the online appointment arrangement
Unfortunately, it is currently only possible to make an appointment with private health insurers. I hope for your understanding!
Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert
