Achilles Tendon Rupture

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Achilles Tendon Rupture

• Presented by Jasmine Smiley

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Achilles Tendon

• a large tendon at the back of the ankle
• is an extension of the gastrocnemius and soleus
  and attaches to the calcaneus
• is very important to activities such as walking,
  running and jumping.
• is the strongest and thickest tendon in the body.

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Joint

• Tibiotalar Joint, which is found in the ankle.
• is a Synovial Joint
• plays a role in the following movements plantar
  flexion, dorsiflexion.
• is between the Tibia and the talus of the foot

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How the injury occurs

• The rupture can be caused by overuse,
  misalignment, improper footwear, medication side
  effects.
• occurs when the tendon is stretched over its
  capacity
• Common activities such as starting a foot race,
  jumping.
• Any time the tendon is being over stretched
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vcgOemKqIzEE
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vMLT5-Wnu594

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Symptoms

• A sudden and severe pain maybe felt at the back
  of the ankle or calf.
• The sound of a loud pop or snap.
• A depression maybe felt and seen in the tendon
• initial pain, swelling and stiffness
• Thompson test http//www.youtube.com/watch?vAmDi0
  8rlR3I

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Classifications

• rupture is the most severe
• but there can be partial tears
• There are other injuries to the Achilles tendon
  like Achilles tendonitis which is less severe
  than a rupture.

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Treatment

• There are two treatments
• Surgery- which requires opening the skin and
  physically sewing the two ends of the tendon back
  together. This treatment has a lower chance of
  re-rupture. Surgery is most common for fixing a
  fully ruptured Achilles tendon.
• Non-surgical treatment involves wearing a cast,
  this treatment has a higher chance of re-rupture

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Rehabilitation

• After treatment, whether surgical or nonsurgical,
  you'll go through a rehabilitation program
• physical therapy exercises to strengthen your leg
  muscles and Achilles tendon
• Most people return to their former level of
  activity within four to six months.

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Post Rehab Prevention

• Do daily Achilles stretches
• pre-activity warm up
• Work back up gradually to full participation.

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Bibliography

• http//sma.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/719-S
  MA-InjuryBrochure-Achilles_web.pdf
• http//www.emedicinehealth.com/achilles_tendon_rup
  ture/article_em.htm
• http//www.achillestendon.com/

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The End