WHAT TO DO

Should You Use a Compressive Bandage or Support?

Yes. If it is possible to apply a compressive bandage or elastic support to the injury, it will help to control swelling and bleeding in the first few days.  In most cases, the bandage/support will also help to support the injury as the new scar tissue is laid down. This should help to reduce your pain.

Some injuries will benefit from more support such as a brace or rigid strapping tape. Please contact your physiotherapist if you are uncertain what to do next.

Elevation?

Elevation of an injury in the first few days is very helpful. Think where your injury is and where your heart is. Gravity will encourage swelling to settle at the lowest point.  Try to rest your injury above your heart. Obviously some injuries are impossible or it would be detrimental to elevate, so please use your common sense and be guided by your pain.

When Should You Commence Treatment? 

In most cases, "the early bird gets the worm".  Researchers have found that intervention of physiotherapy treatment for acute soft tissue injuries within a few days has many benefits. 

Prompt Treatment Benefits include:

• Relieving your pain quicker via joint mobility techniques, soft tissue massage, electrotherapy etc
• Improving your scar tissue quality using techniques to guide the direction it forms
• Getting you back to sport or work quicker through faster healing rates
• Loosening or strengthening of your injured region with individually prescribed exercises and techniques
• Improving your performance when you do return to sport, work or simply daily life
• Correct any biomechanical faults that may be affecting your movement, technique or predisposing you to injury

What If You Do Nothing?

Research tells us that injuries left untreated do take longer to heal and have lingering pain. They are also more likely to recur and leave you with:

• abnormal scar tissue formation
• joint stiffness
• muscle weakness

It's important to remember that symptoms lasting longer than three months become habitual and are much harder to solve.  The sooner you get on top of your symptoms the better your outcome.

MANAGEMENT

What to do the First Few Days Post-Injury

Acute Injury Treatment

Rest?

Rest from painful exercise or a movement is essential in the early injury stage. We call thisactive rest. "No pain. No gain." does not apply in most cases.  The rule of thumb is - don't do anything that reproduces your pain for the initial two or three days.  After that, you need to get it moving or other problems will develop.

If you are unsure what to do, please contact your physiotherapist for injury-specific advice.

Ice or Heat?

Ice

Ice is preferred for the initial two or three days post-injury. Apply ice for 20 minutes each two to three hours for the first few days until the "heat" comes out of the injury. Ice should also help to reduce your pain and swelling in traumatic soft tissue injuries, such as ligament sprains, muscle tears or bruising.

Heat

It is preferable to avoid heat (and heat rubs) in the first 48 hours of injury. The heat encourages bleeding, which could be detrimental if used too early.

Once the "heat" has come out of your injury, heat packs can be used to stimulate blood flow. We recommend 20 minute applications a few times a day to increase the blood flow and hasten your healing rate.

Heat will also help your muscles relax and ease your pain. Heat Wheat Packs are an excellent home solution for a multitude of conditions.

ANATOMY

Achilles Tendon Anatomy

The calf muscles of the lower leg become the Achilles tendon. This is the prominent tendon at the back of the heel, which attaches to the heel bone.

These muscles are responsible for actions such as pointing the toes and standing tiptoe. They are greatly involved in repetitive activities such as walking, jogging, hopping and aerobics.

Totally Ruptured Achilles Tendon Treatment

The worst case scenario for a total rupture of the tendon is the tendon not rejoining. In this case, you will lose total calf and significant foot function.

Treatment of a ruptured Achilles tendon usually requires surgery, plaster or a walking boot for several months. Most of these injuries take three to six months or more to adequately rehabilitate.

The best advice is to seek early advice from your Physiotherapist, Doctor or Orthopaedic Surgeon.

Partially Ruptured Achilles Tendon Treatment

A partially ruptured Achilles tendon may or may not require surgery.

The best advice is to seek early advice from your Physiotherapist, Doctor or Orthopaedic Surgeon. If lucky, you may avoid surgery but require a walking boot or similar with a graduated rehabilitation program to strengthen your injured tendon and prevent a further injury.

Common Achilles Tendon Rupture Treatments

While everyone's treatment can vary depending on your individual assessment and rehabilitation goals, here's a few common Achilles Tendon Rupture Treatment Options.

TENDON RUPTURE

What is an Achilles Tendon Rupture?

When your Achilles tendon snaps it is known as Achilles tendon rupture.

What Causes an Achilles Tendon Rupture?

The Achilles tendon can grow weak and thin with age and lack of use. Then it becomes prone to injury or rupture. Certain illnesses (such as arthritis and diabetes) and medications (such as corticosteroids and some antibiotics) can also increase the risk of rupture.

Achilles tendon rupture most commonly occurs in the middle-aged male athlete (the weekend warrior who is engaging in a pickup game of basketball, for example). Injury often occurs during recreational sports that require bursts of jumping, pivoting, and running. Most often these are tennis, racquetball, squash, basketball, and badminton. The injury can happen in these situations:

• You make a forceful push-off with your foot while your knee is straightened by the powerful thigh muscles. One example might be starting a foot race or jumping.
• You suddenly trip or stumble, and your foot is thrust in front to break a fall, forcefully over stretching the tendon.
• You fall from a significant height.