🦶 When can you RUN again after Achilles rupture? Here's the real timeline.
Runners, I know you want to get back out there. Here is the truth:
Months 1 to 3: NO running. Period. You are ...
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesRupture #ReturnToRunning
🦶 Achilles pain? Here's how to know if it's tendinitis or something much worse.
Achilles tendinitis and Achilles rupture are NOT the same. But one can lead to the other.
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesTendinitis #AchillesTendon
🦶 When your Achilles is too damaged to simply stitch back together — we rebuild it.
Some Achilles injuries can't be fixed with a standard repair:
❌ Chronic ruptures with massive gaps
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesTendon #AchillesRupture
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesRupture #FootAndAnkle
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#RoboticSurgery #TKA
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#PlantarFasciitis #HeelSpur
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#FootSurgery #MinimallyInvasive
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AnkleSprain #PRP
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#Bunion #HalluxValgus
🦶 Big surgery through TINY incisions — minimally invasive Achilles repair explained.
Traditional Achilles repair: 4-6 inch incision.
Minimally invasive (PARS technique): less than 1 inch.
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesTendon #AchillesRupture
🦶 Here's exactly what happens when we repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Step 1: Incision along the back of the ankle
Step 2: Identify both torn ends (usually a 2-5cm gap)
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesTendon #AchillesRupture
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#TibialPlateau #TKA
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesTendon #Orthopedics
Ruptured Achilles? You might NOT need surgery.
Non-surgical works IF:
✅ Treatment within 24-48 hours
✅ Ankle splinted foot-down
✅ MRI gap <5mm
✅ Committed to 8-week protocol
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesRupture #Orthopedics
💊 Medications that can RUPTURE your Achilles:
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics:
• Cipro, Levaquin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin
Risk: 4x higher rupture rate
On steroids too? 46x higher risk
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
🔍 The Thompson Test — Achilles rupture check in 5 seconds:
Lie face down. Squeeze the calf.
✅ Normal: foot points down
❌ Ruptured: foot doesn't move
Do this at home if you suspect a rupture. Foot doesn't move? See a specialist within 48 hours.
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
🧠 4 Achilles myths — BUSTED:
❌ "You ALWAYS need surgery"
✅ Functional rehab within 48h has similar outcomes
❌ "Athletes rupture more"
✅ Weekend warriors are highest risk
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
🛡️ 5 ways to protect your Achilles:
1. Know your meds (Cipro = 4x risk)
2. Warm up properly
3. Build calf strength gradually
4. Don't ignore tendinitis
📍 Dr. Mohammad Athar, MD
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon
🔗 cortho.org
🛡️ 5 ways to protect your Achilles:
1. Know your meds (Cipro = 4x risk)
2. Warm up properly
3. Build calf strength gradually
4. Don't ignore tendinitis
5. Address foot mechanics
Prevention > months of recovery
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
🛡️ 5 ways to protect your Achilles:
1. Know your meds (Cipro = 4x risk)
2. Warm up properly
3. Build calf strength gradually
4. Don't ignore tendinitis
5. Address foot mechanics
Prevention > months of recovery
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
⏰ Achilles rupture recovery - the REAL timeline:
• Week 1-8: Boot progression + PT
• Month 2-3: Normal walking
• Month 3-6: Back to sports
80% of athletes return to pre-injury level.
Swelling can last 3-6 months. That's normal.
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
🦶 Ankle cartilage revision surgery outcomes
Primary BMS: ~66% meaningful improvement
Revision BMS: ~33% meaningful improvement
That's a 50% drop in success rates.
Getting it right the first time matters.
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
💊 Transplant patients & orthopedic surgery
Immunosuppressants affect:
• Collagen synthesis
• Blood vessel formation
• Bone healing
~5% get osteonecrosis
15-20% osteoporotic fractures
Perioperative med adjustment is critical.
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
🦶 Charcot foot fixation meta-analysis (957 patients):
Internal: 85% fusion, 24% hardware failure
External: 68% fusion (complex cases)
Hybrid: 86% fusion, most complications
<5% amputation rate — limb salvage works!
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
🦶 Do you NEED expensive treatments for plantar fasciitis?
New RCT: Exercise alone was just as effective as shockwave or laser + exercise.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
⏰ Achilles rupture recovery - the REAL timeline:
• Week 1-8: Boot progression + PT
• Month 2-3: Normal walking
• Month 3-6: Back to sports
80% of athletes return to pre-injury level.
Swelling can last 3-6 months. That's normal.
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
🦶 Surgery vs No Surgery for ruptured Achilles?
Both can work — but functional rehab must start within 24-48 hours.
Surgery needed if:
• Gap > 5mm
• High-level athlete
• Delayed presentation
Your goals guide the choice.
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
🦶 5 Signs You Ruptured Your Achilles:
1. Felt "kicked" but no one there
2. Heard a POP
3. Can't stand on toes
4. Feel a GAP above heel
5. Fast swelling/bruising
⏰ See a specialist within 48hrs!
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesRupture #SportsMedicine
🦶 Ruptured Achilles? You might NOT need surgery.
The 48-hour window that changes everything.
✅ Surgery vs Functional Rehab
✅ The exact protocol
✅ When surgery IS needed
📍 Complete Orthopedics
🔗 cortho.org
#AchillesRupture #SportsMedicine #Orthopedics
