The Role of Physiotherapy in an Achilles Tendon Injury

If you have injured your Achilles tendon you will require rest as well as some tailored physical therapy sessions. The Achilles tendon is the band of tissue connecting your heel bone to your calf muscle. If you have injured it in any way, the physical therapy treatment will involve stretches and certain techniques and exercises that can help the Achilles tendon heal and get you back on your feet quickly.

One of the commonest causes of this problem is tendinitis; sports such as running and jogging are generally to blame. In the milder cases, taking some anti-inflammatory medications, resting the foot and cold compress can help solve the problem. But in cases where the pain is severe and doesn’t subside with RICE, it is a good idea to get treatment from a physiotherapist.

Look for a physiotherapist that has a good reputation and significant experience. It’s best to go to a well-established physiotherapy centre in your local area. The experts there will conduct a thorough examination of the injury and design a treatment plan for your Achilles tendon injury with the right PT.

The process your physical therapist will follow

• The physiotherapist will review your medical history in detail.
• They will identify how severe the injury is and how much it affects you; this will be done by talking with you and watching you move etc.
• Once they have all the details, they will design a tailored physical therapy plan for you and will discuss what the goals of the therapy are, with you.
• The therapist will have you do various stretches and exercises and show you the proper methods to follow.
• Different tools and techniques will be used to help you heal.
• They will monitor & record your progress and tweak your plan as required.

The frequency of the physical therapy

The time you will require in physical therapy is entirely dependent on the severity of the injury. The treatment plan may span 4-6 months of regular therapy sessions before you can resume normal use of the foot. In most instances, the physical therapist will require you to come in for treatment session at least 1-2 times each week.

Physical therapy goals

Regardless of whether you just want to walk around normally without any Achilles pain, or need to compete in athletics or run marathons, there are some basic goals of this treatment plan:

Relief from pain

The physical therapist might use ice, include ultrasound therapy, recommend you use a leg brace or use some other methods to ease the pain you are experiencing in the area.

Proper movement

When your Achilles tendon is hurt, your knee joints, foot, and ankle might not move in the manner they should and this can add more strain to your Achilles tendon, In order to fix these problems, your physiotherapist will also include some basic hands-on techniques and stretching exercises to ease that tension.

Balance and muscle strength

Muscle imbalances and weakened muscles can also impact your Achilles tendon in a big way. This is why your physical therapy sessions will include strength-building exercises that are specifically tailored for you.

If you have suffered an Achilles tendon injury, it is advisable to seek the advice of a professional physiotherapist. We at Insync Physiotherapy have skilled and experienced physiotherapists on board and can provide excellent treatments and care. For any more information on the different types of services we provide, feel free to contact us on 02 9569 5145. You can also send us your queries via this online form.

Thanks for reading,
Insync Physiotherapy Team
02 9569 5145