Achilles Tendon: Causes and Treatments - Research Paper

Introduction

The Achilles tendon refers to the robust 'rubber band-like' connective muscle that exists directly above the posterior of the heel. It connects the tissue of the calf to the heel bone (calcaneus) and permits an individual's ability to stand on toes and propel the person to jump (Ganestam et al., 2016). Achilles tendon tear involves an injury that happens due to extreme use (like running), having taut muscles, putting on high-heeled shoes, or having flat feet. It also occurs from misuse and abrupt return to vigorous events. Pain and swelling resulting from inflammation of the tendon leads to more severe injuries like Achilles injury or tear. Overstretching of the muscles or fast movements can wholly or partially cause a rapture.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Most of Achilles' raptures occur to male, active sports participants, and those of older age in the United States. Studies, therefore, indicates that the most affected gender denotes males. Most incidences occur to middle-aged patients between 40-59 years old (Ganestam et al., 2016). Whites get affected mostly than African-Americans with tendon raptures. The US Achilles raptures stand at an average of about 18 injuries per 100,000 persons yearly (Ganestam et al., 2016). In the US, the cost of treating Achilles rapture (excluding the cost of running the operating theatre) for an open repair rotates around 935 pounds. In comparison, percutaneous repair revolves around 574 pounds (Ganestam et al., 2016). The purpose of this paper involves the analysis of orthopedic tendon rapture in the United States of America.

Role of Anatomy and Physiology in the Pathology

The tendon obtains an uneven contribution from both the soleus and gastrocnemius muscle and tendinous fibers. The ligament progresses inferiorly in the posterior phase of the leg. The muscles rotate about 120 degrees internally, and counter-clockwise on the right leg before its attachment onto the calcaneal tuberosity (Gross & Nunley, 2016). The Achilles tendon does not have an exact synovial cover. The muscle can slide between the skin and the neighboring posterior soft flesh of the leg. The cord receives blood supply from the vascularized areolar tissue on its anterior facet.

Besides, the tendon obtains its blood supply from the musculotendinous connection proximally, and from the skeletal attachment, distally. Such a network of blood supply makes the Achilles tendon vulnerable to injury (Gross & Nunley, 2016). The role of the Achilles tendon involves the provision of ankle plantarflexion. Besides, it performs a checkrein during eccentric contraction. The muscle inhibits extreme ankle dorsiflexion and accelerative swaying during ambulation. Exceptional viscoelastic characteristics of the Achilles permits the tissue to undertake plastic deformation as the gastrocnemius-soleus intricate contracts (Gross & Nunley, 2016). It also enables the tendon to become stiffer whenever there exist unprecedented loading forces.

The Role of Rehabilitation

Scholars claim that functional rehabilitation helps more than common control (Mark-Christensen et al., 2016). Functional recovery cannot increase the rate at which the Achilles rapture reoccurs or any other complication regarding the quadriceps after a person has undergone acute tendon rapture. Most patients return to work or sport earlier when functional rehabilitation is the method of treatment than those under conventional practices (Mark-Christensen et al., 2016). Restoration after a tendon tear also increases patient satisfaction.

Besides, most functional rehabilitation cuts on the cost of treatment. Surgery remains as a beginning to a long rehabilitation effort. Research also indicates that improvement enhances the strength of calf muscle, minimizes atrophy, and tendon elongation, and allows full weight-bearing (Mark-Christensen et al., 2016). The application of controlled ankle mobilization by free plantar flexion and minimized dorsiflexion at zero degrees after a fortnight of the postoperative week is essential. Functional rehabilitation enhances the effectiveness of surgery after a tendon injury.

Further Research on Achilles tendon

There exist a problem for surgeons regarding revision quadriceps tendon restoration due to related anatomic flaws like significant tendon-gap discrepancies and preexistent reduced muscle quality (Li & Hua, 2016). The present ways of treating quadriceps involve the application of tendon autograft that may result in further injury. The method depends only on soft tissue fixation. Advanced research on a better process of repairing ruined quadriceps tendon having a massive gap with a trapezoidal plug Achilles ligament allograph is essential (Li & Hua, 2016). The technique may offer an effective, efficient, and safe approach to repairing injured quadriceps muscles with significant gaps. Besides, it enables the tendon to endure enormous force transmission.

Conclusion

The quadriceps tendon (quad tendon) exists as a massive tendon just beyond the kneecap. Quad tendon injuries often happen to individuals with active lifestyles or those involved in athletic activities. The injuries mostly befall people above 40 years and those with normal medical conditions that often result in weakening of the ligament. The quad tendon tear happens if an unusual contraction occurs, and the Achilles tendon contracts, yet the knee remains straightened. The irregular opposing forces then exceed the strength of the Achilles' muscles. Most active athletes and players routinely get tendon raptures that affect their careers and finances. Advanced research on treatment methods and equipment is essential in ensuring that these sportspeople's professional careers do not get affected due to Achilles tendon injury.

References

Ganestam, A., Kallemose, T., Troelsen, A., & Barfod, K. W. (2016). Increasing incidence of acute Achilles tendon rupture and a noticeable decline in surgical treatment from 1994 to 2013. A nationwide registry study of 33,160 patients. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 24(12), 3730-3737. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00167-015-3544-5

Gross, C. E., & Nunley, J. A. (2016). Acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Foot & ankle international, 37(2), 233-239. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1071100715619606

Li, H. Y., & Hua, Y. H. (2016). Achilles tendinopathy: current concepts about the basic science and clinical treatments. BioMed research international, 2016. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2016/6492597/abs/

Mark-Christensen, T., Troelsen, A., Kallemose, T., & Barfod, K. W. (2016). Functional rehabilitation of patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture: a meta-analysis of current evidence. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 24(6), 1852-1859. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00167-014-3180-5