Achilles Tendon Conservative / Post Operative Management
This information will guide you through the next 8 weeks of your rehabilitation. Use the information below to gain a better understanding of your injury and what can be done to maximize your recovery.
Pain and Swelling:
Swelling is often worse at the end of the day. Elevating your foot will help. Take pain medication as prescribed. Pain and swelling may be ongoing
for up to 12 months.
Using your ankle:
You must use the boot and wedges and follow the program below.
Keep the boot on at night
and during the day.
You can put weight through
your foot, as pain allows.
Personal Hygiene:
You may remove the boot carefully for washing and changing your sock once a day. Whilst doing this you must, at all costs, keep the toes pointed down, as demonstrated in the picture.
Avoid any temptation to stretch the calf as this could mean the tendon heals in an elongated position which will affect your overall rehabilitation.
Area of your injury / Surgical Area
If you are worried that you are unable to follow this plan, or have any questions,
then please call our office for advice, 559-436-4820
If you are experiencing pain or symptoms, other than at the site of the original injury/ surgical or surrounding area, please get in touch with us at 559-436-4820.
What to expect: Rehabilitation plan
Remove 1 wedge from bottom of wedge stack, every 2 weeks.
Week 1
Must complete 2 weeks with wearing the boot with 4 wedges all the time, including at night.
Use your crutches and put some weight through your foot
when you walk.
DON’T STRETCH YOUR CALF MUSCLE.
End of Week 2
Remove one wedge from you
boot - always remove from the bottom of the stack.
Continue to wear the boot with
3 wedges all the time,
including at night.
DON’T STRETCH YOUR CALF MUSCLE.
Week 4
Remove one wedge from your
boot - always remove from the bottom of the stack.
Continue to use the boot with
2 wedges all the time,
including at night.
DON’T STRETCH YOUR
CALF MUSCLE.
Week 6
Remove one wedge from your boot - always remove from the
bottom of the stack. Continue to use the boot with
1 wedges all the time, including at night.
DON’T STRETCH YOUR CALF MUSCLE.
Week 8
Remove one wedge from your boot - always remove from the bottom of the stack.
Continue to use the boot with 0 wedges all the time, including at night.
You can now begin to wean out of your boot, this may take a week or two.
Start by trying short distances around your own home wearing your own shoes.
You do not need to wear the boot at night while sleeping.
You will see a Foot and Ankle specialist about 8 weeks after your injury.
Physical therapy will be ordered to start.
DON’T START EXERCISES UNTIL GUIDED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN.