Achilles Tendon rupture ,tear, tendonitis - Everything You Need To Know - Dr. Nabil Ebraheim

Dr. Ebraheim’s educational animated video discribing the Achilles Tendon rupture, the etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic tests, the thompson test, and treatment options.

Common causes of injury:
•Repetitive or sudden increase of stress on the tendon.
•Increase in exercise intensity.
•Not allowing recovery time between exercises.
•Decreased range of motion-tight calf muscles.
•Bone spur-rubbing against the tendon.
Two most common types of injury
1-Achilles tendonitis
Chronic inflammation due to
•Stresses
•Micro-tears
•Inflammation and scar formation
May lead to:
•Pain in the back of the heel
•Occasional swelling due to thickening of tendon
•Often occurs in runners.
Treatment includes
•Anti-inflammatory
•Physical therapy.
•Massage therapy
•Ice therapy
•Immobilization
•Injections: prolotherapy, platelets or needling.

2-Achilles tendon rupture
What happens when the tendon ruptures?
•Patient will feel or hear a “pop” when the tendon ruptures.
•Pain is felt in the back of the ankle.
•Foot becomes floppy and weak.
•Patient feels as if being kicked in the back of the ankle where the tendon snapped.
The Thompson test
Thomspon test is a clinical evaluation test used to assess the integrity of the Achilles tendon with the patient lying prone on the examination table; the examiner will squeeze the calf muscles of the affected leg. Slight plantar flexion of the ankle is a normal response to this examination when there is no presence of a rupture. However, if the Achilles tendon is ruptured, there is no plantar flexion or movement of the ankle and responds to squeezing of the calf muscle.
Surgery is done by exposing the torn tendon through an incision in the skin .the ends of the tendons are cleaned and approximated. Once the tendon has been cleaned, repair of the ruptured tendon can be done with sutures. The Thompson test is once again performed to check the integrity of the Achilles tendon. After repair, a cast or splint is used for forty-six weeks postoperatively then physical therapy is initiated.