What Do You Do With The Achilles if You Have No Fancy Toys?

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Abstract

[Indexed for MEDLINE] 18. Aust J Gen Pract. 2020 Nov;49(11):715-719. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-07-20-5506. The Achilles tendon: Management of acute and chronic conditions. Touzell A(1). Author information: (1)BMed, BMedSci (Hons), MPH (Dist), GradDipSurgAnat, FRACS (Orth), Senior Adjunct Lecturer, Peninsula Clinical School, Monash University, Vic; Visiting Medical Officer, Peninsula Health, Vic; Orthopaedic Surgeon, Holmesglen Private Hospital, Cabrini Private Hospital, Frankston Private Hospital, Vic. BACKGROUND: The prevalence of acute and chronic conditions of the Achilles tendon is increasing among an ageing, active population. These conditions are a common cause of presentation to general practitioners and allied health practitioners. Achilles tendon injuries have a bimodal demographical presentation, with acute injuries commonly occurring in younger people and chronic conditions presenting in patients who are elderly. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this article are to discuss management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures in the primary care setting, explain the risks associated with calcaneal tuberosity fracture and discuss non-operative and surgical management of acute and chronic overload conditions of the Achilles tendon. DISCUSSION: Achilles tendon injuries can be divided into acute ruptures and chronic overuse injuries. Both can be debilitating, with significant morbidity for patients; fortunately, both types of injuries respond well to non-operative interventions, with only a small proportion requiring surgery. Management of acute Achilles tendon rupture has evolved, with increasing evidence that non-operative management is appropriate providing patients participate in a functional rehabilitation protocol. Chronic conditions such as the sequalae of an untreated rupture or Achilles tendinopathy can be debilitating but often respond well to non-operative management. DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-07-20-5506