Achilles
Common Mechanisms of Injury
Achilles tendon injuries often happen suddenly and can make walking, running, or standing painful. Wisconsin Medical Group helps patients across Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin recover from acute and overuse injuries.
Workplace Accident
Achilles injuries can occur from slips, falls, repetitive strain, heavy lifting, or sudden movement on the job. These injuries are common in warehouse, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare settings.
Personal Injury
Achilles tendon damage is also frequently linked to traumatic accidents and unexpected falls.
Types of Achilles Tendon Injuries
Achilles tendon pain can occur after an intense workout or workplace injury. The type of pain will usually alert you to the injury you have sustained. The most common Achilles tendon injuries are:
Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendonitis refers to an inflammation of the tendon. It could be insertional or non-insertional. While insertional tendinitis affects the fibers in the lower tendon, non-insertional tendinitis causes inflammation of the middle tendon’s fibers. Both conditions can occur due to tendon overuse. They typically develop gradually over time.
Achilles Tendonitis Recovery Time
The recovery time for Achilles tendonitis typically takes between 3-6 months. It will start feeling better after a couple of weeks of rest, icing, and exercises. Recovery can be prolonged if you continue to perform strenuous activities on the tendon.
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Repetitive stress to the Achilles tendon can result in a partial or complete tear. A partial tear is where some of the tendon fibers remain intact. A complete tear, otherwise called a rupture, is where all the fibers become disconnected. Tendon tears or ruptures typically occur due to sudden or repetitive stress.
Torn Achilles Recovery Time
The recovery time for a torn Achilles takes between 6-9 months depending on the severity of the injury and the type of activity you are trying to return to. Return to low-impact activities takes around 6 months while high-impact activities will be possible after 9 months. You should avoid walking on a torn Achilles if you feel extreme pain in your heel and struggle to push off the front of your foot.
Symptoms of Achilles Tendon Injury
If you sustain an Achilles tendon injury, you will likely know immediately. This can be attributed to the pain and discomfort that follows such an injury. Torn Achilles symptoms involve hearing a snapping or popping sound at the time of injury. However, you might be unaware of your injury for hours or days after the accident. Symptoms of an Achilles tendon Injury include:
- Pain in your leg, especially in the back of the heel
- Swelling or bruising around the heel
- Pain that worsens when you move your foot or ankle
- Reduced range of motion in your foot
- Stiffness in the leg
- Difficulty moving your foot or walking
Achilles Tendon Injury Treatment
Your treatment regimen will depend on the type and severity of the Achilles tendon injury. If your injury is mild, your physician might recommend rest, hot or cold treatment, and over-the-counter pain relievers. You could also be required to wear supportive footwear as your tendon recovers.
In most cases, your doctor will also recommend physical therapy to strengthen your leg muscles. The stretches and exercises will be done with a therapist’s help until you are cleared to do them at home.
If your symptoms are severe or fail to improve with these interventions, you might require surgery. This could involve removing the damaged parts of your tendon or lengthening your calf muscles.
Achilles Injury Doctor Near Milwaukee
The Achilles tendon supports many of your movements. You should seek immediate medical help from an Achilles Tendon Injury Doctor when you hurt or tear it. Otherwise, you run the risk of a more severe injury and loss of mobility.
Treatment for an Achilles tendon injury could range from a few days of rest to surgery. At Wisconsin Medical Group, we specialize in diagnosing and treating such injuries. Contact us to set up a consultation for yourself or your client.
Achilles Tendon Workers’ Compensation
The workplace should be safe for all workers. Unfortunately, the negligent acts of others can increase your risk of suffering a workplace injury such as an Achilles tendon injury. At WMG we also specialize in assisting with workers’ compensation cases for any workplace injuries. We provide professional second opinions and independent medical exams, making us an experienced medical witness for patients in Milwaukee.
Car Accident
The force of a Milwaukee-area Car accident can strain or tear the Achilles tendon during impact, especially when bracing for collision or forcefully pressing the brakes.
How Wisconsin Medical Group Can Help Achilles Injury
Wisconsin Medical Group provides injury diagnosis, treatment planning, and documentation support for patients throughout Southeast Wisconsin.
Claim Filing for Achilles Injury
Our team helps support workers’ compensation and personal injury claims with thorough medical records and injury documentation.
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Wisconsin Medical Group has convenient locations throughout Southeast Wisconsin with specialists experienced in treating Achilles tendon injuries. Contact Wisconsin Medical Group for help in Milwaukee, Bay View, Glendale, Mount Pleasant or West Allis
What does a torn Achilles feel like?
Symptoms of a torn Achilles most commonly include pain in the back of the leg near the heel, especially when walking. A torn Achilles usually involves hearing a pop or snap at the time of the injury.
Can I walk on a torn Achilles?
You should avoid walking on a torn Achilles if you feel extreme pain in your heel and struggle to push off the front of your foot.