How long after Achilles surgery can I play sports?

The length of time to allow full activity after Achilles tendon repair is generally thought to be four to six months. The 11 months needed to return to play as a professional football player seems considerably longer. However, there is a major difference between allowing full activity and returning to play in the NFL.

How do you rehab a Achilles tendon after surgery?

You will need to wear a cast or a walking boot for 6 to 12 weeks after surgery. At first, it may be set to keep your foot pointed downward as the tendon heals. You may be able to put weight on your affected leg after a few weeks. But it will be several months before you have complete use of your leg and ankle.

When does rehab start after Achilles surgery?

May begin gentle scar mobilization once incision is healed – NO instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) directly on tendon until at least 16 weeks post-op.

Can you play sports after Achilles tendon rupture?

Conclusion. Most elite basketball players are able to return to play after an Achilles rupture, they are expected to miss 10 months (one season) for rehabilitation and often resume their post-injury peak level at the 2nd season back (3 years after the injury).

How long did it take Kobe Bryant to recover from Achilles?

After seven months of rehabilitation, Bryant finally returned to Lakers practice, as per Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The Mamba participated in a light, 5-0 workout that didn’t fully test his Achilles, according to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com.

Can I play tennis after Achilles surgery?

Recovery after an Achilles tendon rupture is possible! A recent study revealed that 70% of NFL, MLB and NBA players returned to participation in the following season after surgical treatment.

Is physical therapy required after Achilles tendon surgery?

You may need to wear this boot for as long as six weeks, depending on the extent of your injury. Your doctor will recommend you to a physical therapist, who will draw up a regime of exercise for you to regain strength in your leg. For the first few weeks, your physical therapist may simply massage your calf.

What is the Alfredson protocol?

The Alfredson protocol is a program of eccentric heel-drop exercises for treating Achilles tendinopathies. It has been widely adopted in research and clinical practice. The protocol recommends completion of 180 eccentric repetitions a day. 3. Currently, there is no strong rationale for this repetition volume.

What happens at 6 weeks after Achilles tendon surgery?

6-8 weeks postsurgery Your rehab appointments slow down and you should be able to stand on the affected leg for a few seconds at a time. You may be able to lose the boot and start to introduce more activities. Avoiding high-impact exercise is still critical, but you may be allowed to swim or bike.

Do NFL players recover from torn Achilles?

58% of these injuries occurred during the preseason. Of those that suffered an Achilles tendon rupture, 26% did not ever return to play in the NFL. Players who did return to play in the NFL took an average of 9 months to recover after the date of injury.

What’s worse a torn ACL or Achilles?

You may also damage other ligaments in the knee, which makes the pain and recovery time ever worse. A minor injury can heal with rest and ice, but more severe ACL tears require surgery. Rupturing your tender Achilles tendon means more than pain—it means agony.

Did Shaq tear his Achilles?

A number of professional athletes, including NBA greats Isiah Thomas and Shaquille O’Neal, have retired early due to a torn Achilles tendon.