The minimally invasive sutured Achilles tendon incision is only 1.5 cm, and the operation takes 15-25 minutes to avoid the risk of peroneal nerve injury, and no postoperative problems of re-rupture or incision infection have been observed.
The postoperative incision looks like.
Objective: The pathophysiological mechanisms of Achilles tendon healing must be followed in rehabilitation, both to prevent overloading of the unhealed tissue and to prevent the negative effects of braking and disuse on the healed tissue.
Program.
①1-28 days postoperatively.
Long leg plaster brace/support fixation, knee fixed at 20-25 degrees of flexion (the tension of the Achilles tendon is minimal in this position to guarantee the healing of the Achilles tendon under no tension) support crutches to the ground for appropriate activities; after the incision heals, remove the plaster brace daily, put the Achilles tendon area in warm water immersion, Achilles tendon massage, and do not do ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion movements; the plaster brace must be worn at bedtime daily.
② 28 days after surgery.
Replace the short leg plaster rest/support (long leg support/plaster posterior rest sawed short to 3 cm below the fibular tuberosity to begin to allow knee motion).
Remove the cast brace/support daily and place the Achilles tendon area in warm water for immersion and Achilles tendon massage.
Do appropriate ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion activities (give distraction stimulation, which is reported in the literature to facilitate healing of the Achilles tendon fibers); the plaster brace must be worn daily at bedtime.
③After the 35-day postoperative session.
All rehabilitation contents of 4 weeks postoperatively + exercise contents of foot roller.
④After 42 days postoperative.
Remove the short leg plaster brace/support and walk in shoes (a heel pad of 2.5~3 cm in height made up of 10 layers of thin plates between the heel and the sole when walking, this period should prevent falls or sudden stomping movements from pulling on the postoperative Achilles tendon). The company sells the walking boot.
⑤After 63-84 days postoperatively.
Walk on the full foot and practice the function of the ankle joint so that the mobility of the ankle joint is completely normal.
Start practicing the strength of the calf triceps. At first, you can practice bipedal heel lifting, gradually increase the burden on the affected limb, and eventually transition to unipedal heel lifting.
People who are engaged in easier work can start working.
During this period, it is still important to prevent falls or sudden stirring movements from straining the postoperative Achilles tendon.
(vi) After 13-24 weeks postoperatively.
Continue to practice single-footed heel lifts to correct residual ankle plantarflexion or dorsiflexion deficits, and begin jogging on the full-footed floor to gradually restore ankle flexibility and the strength and circumference of the calf triceps.
At this time, athletes can start to participate in small sports training, and those who are engaged in medium physical labor work can participate in work.
(7) After 24 weeks post-operatively.
Athletes can participate in formal training, and the general population can participate in heavy work.
The classical incisional Achilles tendon suture for Achilles tendon rupture is about 14 cm long and the operation takes about 1 hour.
Related reading: Diagnosis and surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture (click chain http:///zhuanjiaguandian/chenhua0270_519644890.htm)