Be careful not to break your hamstrings! Lose weight + soak in warm water to soothe your ankles

The Achilles tendon rupture of football golden boy Beckham attracted global attention, but Achilles tendon rupture is not exclusive to players. Doctors pointed out that "broken tendons" are actually "ruptured Achilles tendons". Most of the patients are men, and the main cause is excessive exercise and insufficient warm-up. In terms of prevention, in addition to controlling your weight, you can do more lunges and stretches before exercise, or soak in warm water to soothe your feet and ankles, in order to protect your tendons and prevent them from breaking. (Video/Photographer Zhang Shijie)

Soaking your ankles in warm water regularly can help prevent tendon and foot ruptures.

Dr. Wang Zhenqi from the Department of Orthopedics at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital pointed out that the Achilles tendon, commonly known as the "foot tendon," is the largest tendon in the human body. It is located in the posterior ankle area of ​​the lower limb, connects to the calf muscles, and is attached to the posterior upper edge of the heel bone. It is about 15 cm long and is also called the "Achilles tendon."

When it contracts, the foot can move downward. The Achilles tendon is used when walking, running or jumping. If it is ruptured, the patient will not be able to lift the heel when walking, and walking will be unstable. Especially if you do not exercise regularly, or do not warm up enough before exercise, or suddenly exert too much force, your tendons may "wave" and break.

Tendon rupture allograft transplantation

Dr. Zhen Qi (pictured) pointed out that the Achilles tendon, commonly known as the "foot tendon", is the largest tendon in the human ankle. (Photo by Zhang Shijie)

Last year, a Mr. Chen from New Taipei City accidentally slipped and cut his right calf while cleaning the water meter on the rooftop of his home, causing heavy bleeding and broken tendons. He underwent surgery at a hospital in the north but his condition did not improve. The wound became severely infected and festered, so he was transferred to Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital for treatment. Mr. Chen recovered very well three months after the operation through the reconstruction of the Achilles tendon by an orthopedic surgeon using allogeneic tendon transplantation and plastic surgery using a transposition flap reconstruction surgery. With regular rehabilitation, he is now able to walk slowly with crutches.

The Department of Orthopedics at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital uses "allogeneic tendon transplantation" to save patients from breaking their tendons. (Photo by Zhang Shijie)

Donating tendons to leave a lasting legacy

Dr. Wang Zhenqi emphasized that open wounds like Mr. Chen's are prone to infection and suppuration, and require multiple debridements before surgery. In addition, some hospitals will use other smaller tendons in the patient's body to connect, and the foot function may not be able to recover well. However, the medical team used Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital's unique "allogeneic tendon transplantation" method, which is to use the Achilles tendon of the organ donor for the transplant operation. With a special suturing method, the broken ends on both sides were fixed to a piece of Achilles tendon with the heel bone to reconnect the tendon.

The plastic surgery department then performed a "transposition flap reconstruction surgery" to use flesh from Mr. Chen's right calf to cover the transplanted Achilles tendon. After the wound healed slowly, the rehabilitation process was successfully started. Mr. Chen's ruptured tendons and defective muscles were reconstructed, and the function of his foot was restored.

[6 tips to prevent broken tendons]:

1. Habit: Maintain regular exercise habits. Do not do a lot of exercise suddenly. Do it gradually.

2. Weight: Maintain a normal weight and avoid increasing the burden on the bones and muscles of the feet and ankles.

3. Warm up: Warm up for at least 10 to 15 minutes before exercise; after exercise, do 10 minutes of cool-down exercise.

4. Relaxation: You can do more lunge and arrow stretching exercises, or soak in warm water to relax your tendons.

5. Comfort: Comfortable choice of sports shoes is important to help avoid sports injuries.

6. Seek medical attention: If you hear a "pop" sound in your heel, accompanied by pain and weakness, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

★《Be careful of Achilles tendon rupture》Women should take off their high heels and wear flat shoes!