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Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles Tendinopathy-Brigham and Women's Hospital

Acute Phase:

  • Protection: Unloading the tendon via a 12-15mm heel lift, using assistive devices based upon weight bearing status
  • Modalities: Ice/ultrasound/iontophoresis for pain and inflammation control
  • Exercise-Non weight bearing, stretching, and ROM exercises
  • Soft tissue mobilization
  • Patient education to avoid painful activities and prevent reinjury

Subacute Phase:

  • Joint mobilizations
  • Strengthening, stretching, and proprioception exercises
  • Increasing weight bearing status through affected extremity during functional activities (ie gait)
  • Continue modalities and soft tissue mobilization as needed
  • Orthotic fitting if appropriate

Chronic Phase:

  • Continue with modalities and soft tissue mobilization/cross friction massage as appropriate
  • Joint mobilizations
  • Stretching in subtalar neutral
  • Strengthening with emphasis on eccentric loading
  • Return to sports and recreaitonal activities as tolerated

Resources

Standard of Care: Achilles Tendinopathy. Brigham and Women's Hospital Web site. http://www.brighamandwomens.org/Patients_Visitors/pcs/rehabilitationservices/Physical%20Therapy%20Standards%20of%20Care%20and%20Protocols/Ankle%20-%20Achilles%20Tendinopathy.pdf