An Achilles tendon rupture is a serious injury, especially if you're an athlete. Recovery can take many months, so you might not return to sports for several months until healing is well along. Anyone can have this condition. It's common in people who play sports, and especially people who play sports infrequently and push their bodies to do more than they've trained for. Older people can have an Achilles tendon rupture too. Treatment often depends on age and lifestyle. Surgery is better for some people than others. Here are Achilles tendon rupture treatments to know about.

Rest, Ice, And Compression

Rest, ice, and compression are common treatments for many types of injuries. You may need to stay off of the injured foot and apply ice. Your doctor may want you to elevate your foot above your heart while you're resting. Wearing a compression sock around your ankle might help with swelling. You can provide these treatments at home, but it's still important to see a doctor. You want your tendon to heal properly so it doesn't rupture again.

Anti-Inflammatory Medication

Your doctor might prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or recommend one to buy over the counter. They might also consider corticosteroid injections if your pain is severe. Inflammation can make the pain worse, so by applying ice and taking medications that reduce inflammation, you might control your pain better.

Cast Or Boot

It's important to keep your foot stable so the tendon can heal. The doctor might position your foot inside a cast with your foot flexed downward to help the tendon heal. You might wear a boot instead that has the heel built up. You may need to wear the boot or cast for several weeks, so you might need crutches or a knee walker during your recovery. This is the Achilles tendon rupture treatment your doctor may recommend if you want to avoid surgery.

Surgery

Your doctor might prefer you to have surgery over wearing a cast. However, after surgery, your foot will be in a cast too. Surgery is often recommended for athletes and younger people who are more likely to push themselves hard with running and playing sports. Older, more sedentary people may do fine with a cast only. If you need surgery, the back of your ankle is opened up so the torn tendon can be repaired. If necessary, the doctor might do a tendon transfer to make sure the injury will heal well.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy may be necessary whether you have surgery or not. The physical therapist can work with you to help your tendon heal properly and to regain and maintain strength in your lower leg and ankle. Physical therapy can also help with pain relief by giving you treatments that help your tendon heal quickly or that decrease inflammation.

To learn more, contact an orthopedist in your area such as Dr. Mark Drakos Orthopedic Surgeon.