Partial Achilles Tear Treatment

In this video, Alison discusses the treatment for partial Achilles tendon ruptures, including how the rehab programme should be scheduled.
👉 In the video, Alison mentions using heel wedges to help your ruptured tendon to knit back together again. You can get them here: geni.us/lA7G
🌟Need more help with your injury? You’re welcome to consult one of the team at TMA online via video call for an assessment of your Achilles injury and a tailored treatment plan: www.treatmyachilles.com
Partial Achilles Tear Series:
1. Partial Achilles Tear/Rupture Symptoms: • Partial Achilles Tear/...
2. Partial Achilles Tear Healing Time: • Partial Achilles Tear ...
3. Partial Achilles Tear Treatment (this video)
4. Does a Partially Torn Achilles Require Surgery?: • Does a Partially Torn ...
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[@joshualacerda101]

Thanks for these videos. Great advice and clear explanation.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DonaldGaron]

Good video! Starting with isometrics seems to generally be the way to go for injuries!

[@darrengoodall5782]

I’ve just partially ruptured my right one. Great advice and directions and options to consider. So far I’ve had nothing from the GP

[@rhettshort7037]

I suffered a partial (c. 35% - diagnosed through MRI) Achilles rupture almost exactly one year ago while playing rugby. I saw an orthopedic surgeon who, given my age and lifestyle, suggested we treat the rupture conservatively. He was confident that I would be able to recover without surgery. Started in a moon boot with heal lift and slowly increased dorsiflexion over the first 8 weeks, while simultaneously increasing weight bearing. I underwent some SWT (shock wave therapy) early on, coupled with physio treatment (massage, hot/cold etc.). All in all I was out of the boot around 10weeks with full weight bearing. I continued onto a rehab program slowly ramping up load and volume in the calf, as well as increasing ankle ROM. I would say the process was successful as I have been running (sprinting included) and exercising (also including hopping, jumping and bounding) as normal for the past 8 weeks or so, with little to no issues (other than general stiffness). My problem is that my left Achilles region is visibly bigger than my right. I would say its about 1,25 times the size in width and volume from heel insertion all the way along until around about the point the Achilles spreads into the gastroc. Is this something I should be concerned about? I am considering going back to rugby full time and I want to limit the chance of a re-rupture as much as possible. Could it be residual swelling from training or an incomplete remodelling of the tendon? Any advice would be appreciated.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

First, don't worry about how your tendon looks - it may never look 100% normal again or it may take another 12 to 24 months to return to normal (collagen turnover is slow!). Second, make sure that you've really built enough strength before you play rugby again. For runners we usually aim to get them up to doing their single leg heel raises with weights equal to 20% of their bodyweight (if doing 15 reps) before getting back to running. So for a rugby player you would want to aim a bit higher but perhaps work it at your 6 or 8 rep max. But it does sound as if you've put in good work so far. Continue with maintenance work on that Achilles - it will still be remodeling and growing stronger for a very long time.

[@rhettshort7037]

@@TreatMyAchilles Thanks very much for the input! I appreciate you taking the time. I would say my single leg heal raise (calf strength) capacity is around about 50% of my body weight when working in the 10-12 rep range. So I'm confident of where I am right now. Happy to hear that the visual representation of the area isn't cause for concern and I will continue to put in the maintenance work. Played 30min of the bench yesterday, and it went really well. =) Thanks again! Great content!

[@Tristan-kd2ui]

At what phase in the rehabilitation is weight bearing typically advised? Is complete non-weight bearing for a period of a few weeks a typical standard of treatment? Thanks.

[@gary_michael_flanagan_wildlife]

Thanks for the video. 2 weeks ago I was training legs in the gym. I did some sets of leg presses like normal, and then I finished with the leg press with no weights for which I do my calf raises. I was coming down on the calf raise and felt a gunshot like pop and pain. It hurt really bad. I went home and had a limp a few days and iced it. Now I have good mobility in the leg but I notice I have some bruising under the inside of the foot near the rear foot pad, inside. Any thoughts on what happened? Is this more of a calf tear or Achilles? It feels pretty good now but i have hot feeling coming from the bruised area on the inside of the foot. Thoughts? Thanks

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Please get it checked immediately - I would go to emergency department of hospital - what you are describing sounds like a complete tear of the Achilles tendon and it need immediate treatment if it is. It is really common for these to be pain free afterwards because there is no connection left, so noting to be painful. Due to there being nearly no pain people often delay seeking treatment and then the tendon retracts which means surgery is needed and makes the outcomes more tricky.

[@craigross341]

I've just read that partial tears are very rare. Some doctor says, "There's no such thing as a partial rupture". However, I'm just out of the orthopedic clinic in a moon boot with an appointment for MRI, because the doctor thinks I might have a partial tear.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

I would avoid any advice from a doctor who claims partial tears don't exist

[@junfrick79]

I totally agree. When i went to the ER the doc said was a small tear of my achilles. But today i went to do an MRI findings was high grade tear. dont always trust on any of them. Cant wait to see my ortho next week. 🙏

[@lusean193]

I don’t know how or when I pulled mine but my right one has been sore since mid summer

[@TreatMyAchilles]

If you don't know when you injured it (the pain just gradually started) then it is likely not a tear but rather Achilles tendinopathy - I explain it in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnnFZHmJlN16Y6M

[@tevo46]

I was walking up stairs and the pain from my heel was terrible. Just pain no popping. I'm nearly 2 weeks in (theres no swelling so the foot looks normal). I find it difficult to walk now without feeling no pain even with paracetemol. The heel just throbs when resting, the heel also feels very tender to touch. My question is could I have partially ruptured my achilles tendon. The heel hurts when raising toes off the floor and also hurts when raising heel from the floor. Spoke to gp surgery who referred my straight to physio, was given no diagnosis or tips on how to help it heal. It will just hurt my heel if i try to excercise it (its very very painful).

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Physios are often better at diagnosing these types of injuries than GPs because we see so many of them. So consulting a physio is a good idea - they can diagnose it properly and help you understand how to do it. Physio is not just about giving exercises, we can also help you understand how to reduce the load on it to get the acute pain to settle and then slowly be able to ease into exercise. If you wanted help figuring this out, this is something that our team of physios can help you with via video call. You can read more about how the online consultations work here: www.treatmyachilles.com/

[@lijah5987]

It’s been 4 months and my left Achilles tear keeps coming back my right is completely healed this sucks I do a lot of rehab I’ve been adding more fast twitch exercises and less strengthening hope it helps I want to be 100% for my senior season 🏈

[@rlr05091987]

How did you make out? Were you able to heal enough to compete at that level?

[@robertwilson9411]

Bpc157

[@toddtimmer7548]

Thank you for your clear and concise explanation. Who doesn't understand higally pig ally?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pleiadesluciernaga8877]

higgledy-piggledy!

[@bishopratty]

i was playing basketball and my achilles was already hurting prior because i had been playing all day but i continued playing and then i stopped on a dime and felt a pop in the back of my heel. i had to stop playing because i couldn’t even walk on it or extend my leg. it’s been about 3 days i’ve just been keeping off of it but now i can walk on it a little without any pain. i can rotate my feet still with no pain but i can’t go up on the pad of my foot without it hurting or my do a calf raise. would this be a tear or a strain?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

You need to get it checked - it sounds like a tear.

[@peterwu8471]

I am on day three - haven't seen the doctor - but all things point to tendon damage - the pain is really localized to one tiny part where the tendon meets the heel and I have only seen some tiny improvement today for the first time. I really don't want to even put my foot in my shoe, it's too painful. For the first couple of days, I didn't even want to stand on my foot it hurt too much. Strange injury.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Thanks for sharing, and good luck with your recovery!

[@Anthony11777]

The first 4 months I could only receive treatment From a physiotherapist, because of the moisture in the Achilles.

[@AmitChauhan-hr1ms]

Hi 8 weeks ago I got Achilles tendinopathy and now I got partial tear. It’s been 9 weeks from the starting of Achilles and now this Tear happened. Can you please suggest me something to heal it. Thanks

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Hi there, We cannot provide individual treatment advice without doing an in-depth assessment of your injury and your personal circumstances, as the advice might not be appropriate for you. You're welcome to book a video consultation with one of our physios if you would like an assessment and a personalised treatment plan: www.sports-injury-physio.com/

[@tiffmbutlerify]

How long do you have to keep wedges in your boots after an achilles partical tear

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Usually for a few weeks - you want to be pain free while using them and built strength to that level before you start reducing the height slowly, week by week.

[@roshanchhetry2050]

I had a achilles partial tear about 4 months ago. And i have a pump in achilles.. please tell me what to do and i have a heel pain also. Please tell me what to do now

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Hi there, We cannot provide individual treatment advice without doing an in-depth assessment of your injury and your personal circumstances, as the advice might not be appropriate for you. You're welcome to book a video consultation with one of our physios if you would like an assessment and a personalised treatment plan: www.treatmyachilles.com/

[@roshanchhetry2050]

​@@TreatMyAchilles please maam try to understand i really need your help.... Please.. it will be very thankfull to you if you help me please😢

[@thatonedude2550]

If my achilles is swollen and bruised does that always mean a tear or rupture? I didnt get any sudden pain though, It just kept getting worse every day.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Bruising usually indicates a tear so I would get it checked out by a medical professional.

[@thatonedude2550]

@@TreatMyAchilles i went to the doctor and he ordered an mri. but the mri facility is taking forever to verify with my insurance and my foot is basically healed already and they still havent gotten back to me yet. so at this point i dont know if the mri is even necessary anymore. i still have slight bruising but no more pain and i have full range of motion now with no pain as well.

[@beatnikish]

Pura rasa

[@Artkidtek]

Sounds like walking on your toes is a good idea. If you can bare the pain.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

That's not really a great idea if it is causing you pain - it is really hard work for the Achilles to walk on your toes and if it is torn it won't yet be strong enough for it. You likely have to start with much lighter exercises.

[@nanouchemukoko204]

i had a partial tear a week ago and i did 15 reps on the injured leg and i felt no pain. So do you think my healing could be done way earlier

[@TreatMyAchilles]

You'll be on the faster side of healing but you still have to make sure you follow a graded plan and get your full strength and endurance back and, even if you are pain free and strong, I would not try plyometrics before you've done at least 6 weeks of strength training as we know from research it takes at least 6 weeks to get changes in tissue structure from strength training.

[@davidadeniyiadams4028]

Hi how are you getting on? I'm on the same time scale and a couple weeks in now. Cycling seems to be very good for it. I'm very sporting, 35yo male. Came as a result of a quite extreme ankle inversion.

[@junfrick79]

I have high grade partial achilles tear. Hoping that i don't need a surgery for one. 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@TreatMyAchilles]

I don't know which country you're in but in the UK at least they don't do surgery for partial tears - immobilization in a boot for a few weeks usually does the trick.

[@junfrick79]

@Treat My Achilles thanks for the replies. Im from the US! I decided to have an non op treatment.

[@tyrelpatterson]

@@TreatMyAchillesI have 3 partial tears and was on daily needles but I stopped them it happened on 20th of January I can now walk without the boot for a little bit but still have tension when pulling my toes towards me

[@gsahasaha2099]

4:14 4:31 4:32 4:32

[@thegram9207]

Thank God , I feel no pain in my achilles when squeezing my bottom.