Achilles Tendon Injury Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the types, causes, locations, prevention strategies, treatments, recovery timeframes, and rehabilitation exercises for Achilles tendon injuries based on the lecture transcript.

Achilles rupture

An injury that occurs when your tendon is stretched past its natural range.

Achilles tendinopathy

A degenerative, long-term condition that weakens your tendon, occurring when small tears weaken it.

Tendinitis

A type of inflammation.

Achilles tendon location

Located at the back of the lower leg, right above the heel.

Causes of Achilles tendon injury

A sudden change in physical activity, less rest time between activities, exercising in cold weather, tight or weak calf muscles, aging, or a family history of tendon problems.

Prevention strategies

Slowly increasing the level of physical activity, resting between workouts, and exercising the calf muscle to prepare the tendon for play and progressively higher amounts of work.

Self-care treatments

Home care options including taking pain relief medicine, avoiding wearing supportive shoes, small heel fit, and taping the foot or heel.

Medical and surgical treatment options

Prescribed anti-inflammatory medication, and surgery and/or rehabilitation programs for extreme cases.

Timeframe for resuming normal activities

In most cases, normal activities can be resumed after about 10 weeks following surgery and rehabilitation.

Timeframe for returning to competitive sport

Returning to competitive sport will take 3-6 months.

Rehabilitation strength exercises

Exercises started soon after surgery that include isometric calf holds and eccentric heel drops.

Rehabilitation stretches

Includes putting a towel around your heel and pulling, as well as stepping your injured leg back with a straight knee and pressing your heel flat into the floor.