The Achilles tendon is the longest tendon of the body. It traverses behind the leg and connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Due to the location of the tendon and the amount of stress that is put on it as a result of everyday activities, especially involving lot of standing and walking this tendon is prone to injuries.
A torn Achilles tendon is quite a common injury involving the Achilles tendon. This condition prohibits an individual to put any pressure on the heel or calf. The individual will basically walk flatfooted or with a limp. It is extremely important to get this condition diagnosed and treated early to prevent any long term consequences like chronic pain and altered gait pattern as a result of a torn Achilles tendon.
There are many treatment2 options available for treating a torn Achilles tendon like braces, therapy with strengthening exercises, and even surgery. It is important to know the recovery time post-treatment of a Torn Achilles tendon, both partial and complete.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Torn Achilles Tendon1?
The recovery time from a torn Achilles tendon depends on the extent of the injury, whether the tear is partial or complete. A partial tear of Achilles tendon involves only a part of the tendon being ruptured whereas in a complete tear there is complete rupture of the Achilles tendon from the bone.
If the Achilles tendon tear is partial then treatment with braces or other orthotic devices for a period of six to eight weeks is good enough to allow the tendon to heal. Once through with the bracing period, the individual will have to go through intense physical therapy3 for strengthening and improved range of motion exercises for a period of about two to four weeks. Post therapy, depending on the type of work that the individual does, a gradual return to work program will be initiated. On the whole, it normally takes approximately 10-12 weeks to completely recover from a partially torn achilles tendon.
In cases of a completely torn Achilles tendon, then surgery is recommended to fix the tendon. This requires significantly more time to heal. Once through with surgery, the individual will need to least four weeks of complete rest to allow the wounds to heal.
Once the wounds have healed, the individual will go through intense physical therapy to improve strength and range of motion. This will be followed by gradual return to work program. Overall, it will take approximately six to eight months to even a year for an individual to completely recover from a torn Achilles tendon with surgical intervention.
Also Read:
- Is Achilles Tendon Rupture a Common Injury|Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Surgery for Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Retrocalcaneal Bursitis or Achilles Tendon Bursitis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Exercise, Recovery
- Achilles Tendon Rupture: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Rehabilitation, Sports Massage
- Achilles Tendon Stretches To Heal Achilles Tendinitis
- What Causes Achilles Tendon Rupture & How is it Repaired?
- How Do You Know If You Have Damaged The Achilles Tendon?
