Achilles Tendon Injuries and Tendonitis Follow-up

  • Author: Anthony J Saglimbeni, MD; Chief Editor: Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 18, 2012
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • Follow-up care in 2 weeks allows ample time to evaluate the effect of initial therapy and anti-inflammatory measures.
  • In a study of 78 patients with ruptured Achilles tendon, Silbernagel et al investigated an alternative method of evaluating the tendon's recovery.[10] Instead of measuring only the number of heel-rise repetitions the patients could perform, the test also measured the height of each heel rise. The combination of height and repetition made up the test's “work parameter.”
  • Employing a limb symmetry index (LSI) to determine differences in calf muscle strength between the patients' injured and uninjured legs, the authors found that 6 months after tendon rupture, the patients' mean LSI for the number of repetitions was 84%, but the mean LSI for the work parameter was only 61%. At 1-year follow-up, the mean heel-rise repetition LSI was 95%, but the work parameter LSI was only 76%. The authors concluded that in patients with Achilles tendon rupture, the work evaluation method employed in their study can better determine differences between injured and uninjured legs than can a test measuring only heel-rise repetitions.
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Deterrence

As with gastrocnemius-soleus muscle strains, prevention of Achilles tendon injuries involves adequate stretching and conditioning prior to physical activity, especially new activities or ones at higher levels of intensity.[11]

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Complications

Achilles tendon contracture and/or scarring may occur from excessive immobilization. In addition, permanent weakness has been known to occur with as little as 4 weeks of immobilization.

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Prognosis

Achilles tendon injury has an excellent prognosis, allowing for some degree of morbidity through loss of ROM.

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Patient Education

  • Educating the patient throughout the physical therapy treatment program and at subsequent follow-up visits is very important. Include information on adequate stretching before beginning physical activity, appropriate technique, and appropriate footwear.
  • For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Foot, Ankle, Knee, and Hip Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Ruptured Tendon, Achilles Tendon Rupture, and Tendinitis.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Anthony J Saglimbeni, MD  President, South Bay Sports and Preventive Medicine Associates; Private Practice; Team Internist, San Francisco Giants; Team Internist, West Valley College; Team Physician, Bellarmine College Prep; Team Physician, Presentation High School; Team Physician, Santa Clara University; Consultant, University of San Francisco, Academy of Art University, Skyline College, Foothill College, De Anza College

Anthony J Saglimbeni, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: California Medical Association and Santa Clara County Medical Association

Disclosure: South Bay Sports and Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc Ownership interest Other

Coauthor(s)

Christian J Fulmer, DO  Private Practice in Sports and Family Medicine; Team Physician, Valley Christian High School

Christian J Fulmer, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Osteopathy, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Robert E Windsor, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, FAAPM  President and Director, Georgia Pain Physicians, PC; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Emory University School of Medicine

Robert E Windsor, MD, FAAPMR, FAAEM, FAAPM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pain Medicine, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Association, International Association for the Study of Pain, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Michael T Andary, MD, MS  Professor, Residency Program Director, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine

Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists

Disclosure: Allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Kelly L Allen, MD  Medical Director, Medevals

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD  Physiatrist, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Center

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

  1. de Jonge S, van den Berg C, de Vos RJ, van der Heide HJ, Weir A, Verhaar JA, et al. Incidence of midportion Achilles tendinopathy in the general population. Br J Sports Med. Oct 2011;45(13):1026-8. [Medline].

  2. Juras V, Zbyn S, Pressl C, Domayer SE, Hofstaetter JG, Mayerhoefer ME, et al. Sodium MR Imaging of Achilles Tendinopathy at 7 T: Preliminary Results. Radiology. Jan 2012;262(1):199-205. [Medline].

  3. Miners AL, Bougie TL. Chronic Achilles tendinopathy: a case study of treatment incorporating active and passive tissue warm-up, Graston Technique, ART, eccentric exercise, and cryotherapy. J Can Chiropr Assoc. Dec 2011;55(4):269-79. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  4. Chan AP, Chan YY, Fong DT, Wong PY, Lam HY, Lo CK, et al. Clinical and biomechanical outcome of minimal invasive and open repair of the Achilles tendon. Sports Med Arthrosc Rehabil Ther Technol. Dec 20 2011;3(1):32. [Medline].

  5. Nilsson-Helander K, Silbernagel KG, Thomeé R, Faxén E, Olsson N, Eriksson BI, et al. Acute achilles tendon rupture: a randomized, controlled study comparing surgical and nonsurgical treatments using validated outcome measures. Am J Sports Med. Nov 2010;38(11):2186-93. [Medline].

  6. Grigg NL, Stevenson NJ, Wearing SC, et al. Incidental walking activity is sufficient to induce time-dependent conditioning of the Achilles tendon. Gait Posture. Oct 5 2009;[Medline].

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  9. Wegrzyn J, Luciani JF, Philippot R, et al. Chronic Achilles tendon rupture reconstruction using a modified flexor hallucis longus transfer. Int Orthop. Aug 21 2009;[Medline].

  10. Silbernagel KG, Nilsson-Helander K, Thomee R, et al. A new measurement of heel-rise endurance with the ability to detect functional deficits in patients with Achilles tendon rupture. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. Aug 19 2009;[Medline].

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  25. Ufberg J, Harrigan RA, Cruz T, Perron AD. Orthopedic pitfalls in the ED: Achilles tendon rupture. Am J Emerg Med. Nov 2004;22(7):596-600.

 
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