Questions? Call or Text Us Today
Achilles tendon injuries are some of the most common injuries seen by physical therapists. The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, connecting the calf muscles to the heel bone. Achilles tendon injuries can occur due to overuse, trauma, or degeneration. Treatment for an Achilles tendon injury typically involves strengthening, stretching, gait training, and plyometric training.
Common Achilles Injuries
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendinitis is a common overuse injury that results from repetitive stress on the Achilles tendon. This type of injury is seen more often in runners who have tight calf muscles or people who do repetitive movements. Achilles tendinitis can be acute or chronic in nature. Acute tendinitis is often a shorter recovery versus a more chronic version.
​
Rather than treating with a cookie cutter approach we use a science backed strategy to progressing through rehab phases including strength testing, outcome testing, and return to sport testing to determine when progressions to a new phase are appropriate.
​
Achilles Tendon Rupture (Tear)
Achilles tendon rupture is the most common tendon injury we see. This usually occurs during a jumping, running, or cutting activity. Sometimes there is pain in the achilles prior to injury yet often times there is no way to know this is going to happen.
​
Once the achilles is torn there are two options for treatment, both of which require physical therapy.
-
Surgical repair: In order to repair this you will need to undergo orthopedic surgery. The surgeon will use special sutures and anchors to repair the achilles. After the surgery you will likely be non weight-bearing. You will also be in a boot or cast for 6-8 weeks. Even before you are out of your boot you should be in physical therapy. This will allow you to maintain strength of the knee, hips, and core muscles while you are non weight-bearing. This will allow us to get you going as quickly as possible once you are able to be weight bearing.
-
Non surgical management: Some people choose not to get the achilles tendon repaired in certain situations. We have many patients who have successful rehab without getting the achilles tendon surgically repaired. The rehab process is very similar to the achilles repair though there may be a slightly longer period of immobility of the ankle based on your doctor and physical therapists recommendation.
​
Treatment of Achilles Tendon Injuries
​Achilles tendon rehabilitation includes many different treatments. The treatment techniques we use for sports therapy are varied and individualized by your physical therapist based on injury and presentation of symptoms. Some of the common things we do include:
-
Sports massage techniques
-
Blood flow restriction therapy
-
Graston or IASTM (Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization)
-
Joint mobilizations
-
Passive stretching for muscles and joint
-
Range of motion techniques
-
Manually resisted exercises
-
Strengthening exercises
-
Endurance and conditioning exercise
-
Agility training
-
Balance training
-
Plyometric technique and training
-
Olympic weight lifting
-
Agility training
At HIDEF Physical Therapy we have treated some of the top athletes in the region and helped them to recovery from ACL reconstruction. Some of the teams we have helped with ACL rehab include
-
Seattle Seahawks
-
Seattle Mariners
-
Seattle Kraken
-
Seattle Sounders
-
Miami Dolphins
-
Indianapolis Colts
-
University of Washington
-
Seattle Pacific University
-
Pacific Lutheran University
-
Bellevue College
-
And many other Division I-III colleges​
​
Why Choose HIDEF?
Our sports injury physical therapy clinic In Bellevue WA will help you get back on your feet after your achilles injury. We have the equipment to maximize your recovery and to test your strength throughout the process so we can ensure we are making progress. Your physical therapist will work with your doctor to make sure you care is connected.
​
We also have sports injury physical therapy in Renton, WA and sports injury physical therapy in Seattle, WA.
​
