Achilles Tendon Post-Surgery Physio Glasgow: Physiotherapy for Achilles Tendon Rupture

An Achilles tendon rupture is a serious injury that may sideline sportspeople and exercise enthusiasts for months. At The Physio Clinic Glasgow, your sports physiotherapy clinic, we think that understanding your condition and treatment choices is critical to a successful recovery.

What is the Achilles Tendon?

The Achilles tendon, or calcaneal tendon, is the strongest and largest tendon in your body. It connects the strong calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the heel bone (calcaneus). This tendon is essential for walking, running, and leaping because it allows you to point your toes down and push off the ground.

The Achilles tendon has a distinctive structure, with fibres spiralling as they descend, offering added strength and suppleness. This architecture enables the tendon to store and release energy effectively while moving, functioning as a spring to drive you ahead.

What is an Achilles Tendon Rupture?

Achilles tendon rupture occurs when the tendon rips partly or entirely. This injury frequently occurs during high-impact exercises or quick, sudden movements. These sports injuries can occur when there is a sudden acceleration and change of direction during sports or falling from a height, often leading to conditions like tendinopathy.

Treating Achilles Tendon Ruptures

At The Physio Clinic Glasgow, we ensure that a patient receives effective treatment for an Achilles tendon rupture. There are a couple of different options available to patients who suffer Achilles tendon injuries. These are conservative or surgical treatment options for conditions like Achilles tendinopathy.

The treatment plan that is offered will depend on factors such as the level of activity, the patient's age, the severity of the tear or rupture, and the patient's specific needs and goals.

Conservative Treatment:

Conservative treatment (otherwise known as non-surgical treatment) is a non-invasive treatment. It involves immobilising the foot and ankle. In doing so, the tendon can heal naturally. This treatment is common in older people who have only partially torn the tendon and those who have an increased risk of surgery due to pre-existing health conditions.

Surgical Treatment:

Surgery will often be the preferred treatment plan for those who are younger, engage in sporting activities, are highly active or have complete ruptures or tears.

The Role of Physiotherapy in Post-surgical Protocol:

Physiotherapy is essential in the rehabilitation process, whether conservative or surgical treatment is selected. At Peter's Physiotherapy, our protocols are tailored to each patient's specific needs and development. Here's a summary of the rehabilitation process:

Phase 1: Protection and Early Motion (0–2 weeks after injury/surgery).

Goals:

• Protect the healing tendon.
• Reduce inflammation and discomfort.
• Maintain cardiac fitness.

Phase 2: Progressive Loading (2–6 weeks)

Goals:

• Gradually increase tendon stress to avoid exacerbating any existing tendon pain.
• Improve your ankle range of motion.
• Begin mild strengthening.

Phase 3: Strengthening and Proprioception (6 to 12 weeks)

Goals:

• Restore complete ankle range of motion.
• Increase calf strength and endurance.
• Improves balance and proprioception.

Phase 4: Functional Rehabilitation (12 to 16 weeks)

Goals:

• Progress to sports-specific activities.
• Increase Power through your rehabilitation with targeted physiotherapy techniques designed for sports injuries. And reaction strength.
• Prepare to return to sport.

How The Physio Clinic Glasgow Can Help Achilles Rupture Rehabilitation

At The Physio Clinic Glasgow, we know the frustration of injury and its effect on mental well-being, particularly with sports injuries like Achilles tendinopathy. We understand the importance of keeping you active, not just for your physical health but also for your psychological and social well-being. We offer tailored solutions to our clients and bespoke treatment and rehabilitation programmes.

Physiotherapy Assessment and Treatment Options

With a focus on evidence-based practice, our experienced, fully qualified expert physiotherapists will perform a thorough initial assessment, allowing us to give you a simple explanation for your injury or pain.

Your physiotherapist will guide you through your personalised rehabilitation plan to ensure it meets your needs and fits into your schedule.

Your detailed rehab plan is emailed directly, with a video demonstration and guidance on how to tackle your injury between sessions. We will continue to manage any performance-related issues to get you back to your best quickly.

We welcome any questions between sessions. If you find you have any queries concerning your rehabilitation progress, contact your physiotherapist in the first instance. Your comfort is always our priority, both physically and mentally.

Physiotherapy Review and Exercise

In the review sessions following your assessment, we discuss your injury management, your goals, and how we can achieve them through effective conditioning.

Your recovery progress is continually measured and evaluated, and your recovery plan is modified where necessary to guarantee results in managing tendon pain. We strive to adapt all of our plans to evolve with your changing requirements.

We will always work through any change in plan with you in our rehab space to ensure the plan works for you and addresses any symptoms effectively. This includes exercise observations and adjustments that we will sign off on once they are spot on.

Sports Massage

Whether it is for recovery or relaxation, our fully qualified massage therapist will be able to deliver a professional sports massage session tailored to your needs, helping alleviate tendon pain. That means you choose the duration, the areas requiring attention, and the intensity.

Choose a 30/45/60/90 slot to suit you. Not sure what's best? Send an enquiry through our 'contact' page!

Telehealth Assessment

Can’t make it into our Glasgow clinic? Not to worry: we can deliver a thorough assessment and plan for you over a video call.

We are pleased that we can now make physiotherapy more accessible for all, being well-versed in effective, remote pain management and rehabilitation for conditions like tendinopathy.

If you need help from one of our physiotherapists but cannot make it into the clinic itself, we are only a video call away.