In the human body, the Achilles tendon is the strongest and is located in the back of the ankle joint. It connects the heel bones to the muscles and allows you to bend the foot, walk on toes or heels, and push the foot off while jumping or running.
It is the Achilles tendon that gives a person the ability to move fully, therefore, its rupture is extremely dangerous and carries many serious health problems.
In the event that such a gap has occurred, people need immediate first aid, and in the future, correctly selected therapy. Without proper treatment, the health consequences will be most unfavorable and even possible disability.
Achilles tendon rupture - causes
When the Achilles tendon ruptures, there is damage or violation of the integrity of the fiber structure.
This is mainly noted for the following reasons:
Mechanical damage, for example:
- there was a blow to the ligaments;
- were injured during sports activities and competitions;
- unsuccessful falls, especially from a height;
- car accidents and more.
The most dangerous blows are observed on tight ligaments. After such damage, a person recovers for many months and does not always return to a full life.
Inflammatory processes in the Achilles tendon.
At risk people:
- after 45 years, when the elasticity of the tendons decreases by 2 times, in comparison with young people. At this age, most microtraumas quickly turn into inflammation of the ligaments and tissues.
- overweight;
- suffering from arthritis or arthrosis;
- have had an infectious disease, in particular scarlet fever;
- wearing compression shoes daily.
Shoes with heels unnaturally arch the foot and tighten the ligaments, which leads to tear and inflammation of the Achilles.
Circulatory problems in the ankle.
This is observed in people:
- going in for sports at a professional level;
- leading an inactive lifestyle, in particular, among citizens sitting for 8 - 11 hours a day;
- paralyzed or partially with limited movement of the lower limbs;
- taking potent drugs that affect blood circulation.
In case of problems with blood circulation in the ankle joint, there is a violation of collagen fiber in the ligaments and irreversible changes in the tissues, provoking damage to the Achilles.
Achilles damage symptoms
A person who has experienced Achilles rupture, regardless of the cause, experiences characteristic symptoms:
- Severe and sharp pain in the ankle joint.
The pain syndrome is growing. At first, a person has a slight discomfort in the lower leg, but as pressure is applied to the leg, the pain intensifies, often flowing into unbearable.
- Sudden crunch in the shins.
A sharp crunch can be heard during a sudden rupture of the ligaments.
- Puffiness. In 65% of people, swelling occurs from the foot to the line of the kneecaps.
- Hematoma in the lower leg.
In 80% of cases, the hematoma grows before our eyes. With serious injuries, it can be observed from the foot to the knee.
- Inability to stand on toes or walk on heels.
- Pain in the area above the heel.
Such pain occurs exclusively during sleep, and only when a person lies with legs not bent at the knees.
First aid for ruptured Achilles tendon
People with suspected Achilles damage require immediate first aid.
Otherwise, you may experience:
- Damage to the sural nerve and subsequently lameness for life.
- Infection.
The risk of infection occurs with extensive damage and prolonged failure to provide first aid.
- Dying off of tissues.
- Constant pain in the ankle joint.
- Inability to move the injured leg normally.
Also, without first aid, the patient can recover longer, his tendon does not heal properly, and doctors may prohibit sports in the future.
If the Achilles tendon is damaged, doctors recommend that a person provide the following first aid:
- Help the patient to take a horizontal position.
Ideally, the patient should be put to bed, but if this is not possible, the person is allowed to lie on a bench or bare ground.
- Take off shoes and socks from the damaged leg, roll up your pants.
- Immobilize the foot. To do this, you can apply a tight bandage using sterile bandages.
If no one knows how to apply bandages or there are no sterile bandages, then you should just control that the victim does not move his leg.
- Call an ambulance.
It is allowed, if the victim complains of unbearable pain, give him an anesthetic pill. However, it is advisable to give the medicine, after consulting a doctor. For example, when calling an ambulance, clarify by phone which drug in this case will not harm your health.
Before the arrival of an ambulance, a person should lie down, not move the injured leg, and also not make any attempts to do something on their own, in particular, apply ointment to the damaged area.
Diagnosing Achilles rupture
Achilles rupture is diagnosed by orthopedists and surgeons after a series of examinations and examinations
Doctors for each patient with characteristic symptoms carry out:
Palpation of the ankle.
With such a diagnosis, the patient has a failure of soft tissues in the ankle joint. It is easily felt by an experienced doctor when the patient is lying on his stomach.
Special testing including:
- flexion of the knees. In patients with rupture of the Achilles tendon, the injured leg will bend visually more strongly than the healthy one;
- pressure measurements;
The pressure on the injured foot will be below 140 mm Hg. Pressure below 100 mm is considered critical. Hg With such a mark, the patient needs emergency hospitalization and, possibly, urgent surgery.
- introduction of a medical needle.
If the patient has a rupture, then insertion of a medical needle into the tendon will be extremely difficult or impossible.
- X-ray of the ankle.
- Ultrasound and MRI of tendons.
Only a complete examination will make it possible to diagnose an Achilles tendon rupture with 100% certainty.
Achilles Tendon Rupture Treatment
Achilles tendon rupture is treated only by orthopedists in conjunction with therapists.
They select the optimal therapy regimen, which depends on:
- the nature of the damage;
- the nature of the pain syndrome;
- severity;
- the level of development of the inflammatory process in the ligaments and tendons.
Considering all factors, doctors prescribe conservative treatment or urgent surgical intervention.
Surgical intervention is required when the patient has severe injuries, unbearable pain, and the inability to even partially move the foot.
Conservative treatment
If an Achilles tendon rupture is detected, the patient needs to fix the ankle joint.
This is done in different ways:
- Plaster is applied.
- It is put on the splint on the affected foot.
- The orthosis is put on.
Wearing an orthosis and splints is prescribed for mild ruptures. In more difficult and difficult situations, doctors apply a cast.
In 95% of cases, the patient is instructed not to remove the plaster cast, splint or orthosis for 6 to 8 weeks.
In addition, patients are discharged:
- pain pills or injections;
Tablets and injections are prescribed for severe persistent pain syndrome.
- drugs to accelerate the recovery of tendons;
- anti-inflammatory drugs.
The course of treatment with drugs is prescribed by a doctor, on average, it lasts 7-10 days.
- physiotherapy procedures, for example, electrophoresis or paraffin compresses;
- massage course.
Massages are carried out after the course of treatment and when the pain syndrome is removed. In 95% of cases, the patient is sent for 10 massage sessions, carried out daily or 1 time in 2 days.
Doctors note that conservative treatment in 25% of cases does not lead to complete recovery or repeated breaks are observed.
Surgical intervention
Doctors resort to surgery when the patient has:
- age over 55;
In old age, the fusion of tissues and ligaments is 2 - 3 times lower than in young people.
- huge hematomas in the ankle joint;
- doctors cannot close the ligaments tightly even with plaster;
- multiple and deep breaks.
Surgical intervention is used in extreme cases, and when conservative treatment cannot give a positive outcome.
When doctors decide to perform an operation, the patient:
- Hospitalized in a hospital.
- An ankle ultrasound is performed on him.
- Take blood and urine tests.
Then, on a specific day, a person is operated on.
The patient is given local or spinal anesthesia, after which the surgeon:
- performs an incision on the lower leg (7 - 9 centimeters);
- sutures the tendon;
- sutures the shins.
After the operation, the person has a scar.
Surgical intervention is possible if less than 20 days have passed since the rupture of the Achilles. In the case when the injury was more than 20 days ago, then it is not possible to sew the ends of the tendon. Doctors resort to Achilloplasty.
Exercises before running to prevent Achilles rupture
Any Achilles rupture can be successfully prevented by doing certain exercises before running.
Sports trainers and doctors are advised to do:
1. Standing on tiptoes.
A person needs:
- stand up straight;
- put your hands on your waist;
- for 40 seconds, smoothly rise on toes and lower back.
2. Running in place at an intense pace.
3. Body bends.
It is necessary:
- put your feet together;
- gently tilt the torso in front, trying to reach the knee line with your head.
4. Swing forward - backward.
The athlete needs:
- put your hands on your waist;
- first swing with the right leg forward - backward;
- then change the leg to the left, and do the same exercise.
You should perform 15 - 20 swings on each leg.
5. Pulling the leg, bent at the knee, to the chest.
Required:
- stand up straight;
- bend your right leg at the knee;
- pull your leg with your hands to your chest.
After that, you should pull up your left leg in the same way.
As a preventive measure, it is extremely useful to do an independent massage of the calf muscles.
Achilles tendon ruptures are among the most serious injuries in which a person needs urgent first aid and immediate treatment. In the case of minor damage, as well as when the patient is up to 50 years old, doctors prescribe conservative therapy.
In more complex forms, surgical intervention is required. However, anyone can reduce the risks of such injuries if they begin to do special exercises before sports training and do not overstrain the ligaments.
Blitz - tips:
- after removing the plaster or splint, it is worth taking a course of special massages to improve the elasticity of the tendons;
- it is important to remember that in case of pain in the ankle joint, you must immediately lie down, immobilize your leg and call a doctor.
