Actress undergoes emergency surgery after sudden accident

Produced by: Science Popularization China

Author: Mai Bo

Supervised by: Guangdong Provincial Association for Science and Technology

On March 31, actress Chen Yanxi's studio announced that she unfortunately suffered an accident during her training, resulting in a ruptured Achilles tendon. She has since undergone surgery and has decided to suspend or adjust several scheduled public appearances, activities, and related work recordings. Wang Min, the deputy director and associate chief physician of the Sports Medicine Department at the Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, stated that for individuals who do not regularly participate in sports, it is advisable to gradually increase their daily activity levels by spreading weekend exercise sessions throughout the week, and to ensure proper warm-up exercises before engaging in physical activities.

Certain groups of people are more prone to Achilles tendon rupture.

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body, commonly known as the 'heel tendon.' It is essential for walking, running, and jumping. Many are familiar with the injury of Achilles tendon rupture. Athletes like hurdler Liu Xiang and basketball stars Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Yi Jianlian have all experienced this injury and left the competition with regret. In fact, Achilles tendon ruptures are not only common among professional athletes but also frequently affect 'weekend athletes,' those who typically do not exercise due to busy schedules and only engage in high-intensity sports on weekends. Other high-risk factors for Achilles tendon rupture include the use of hormones, smoking, and obesity.

What are the causes of an Achilles tendon rupture?

The main function of the Achilles tendon is to allow the ankle joint to 'raise the heel,' which is the action of standing on tiptoes. When the toes rise between 20° and 30°, the Achilles tendon is under extreme tension. At this moment, if there is a sudden forceful jump, the tense Achilles tendon must endure a stretch that is several times greater than the body's own weight. As the right ankle pushes off the ground, the Achilles tendon is prone to rupture. When common Achilles tendon sports injuries occur, we often feel a 'sudden impact' in the calf and mistakenly think we have been kicked by someone. Disputes arising from such 'misunderstandings' in daily life are not uncommon.

Prevention of Achilles tendon rupture

For individuals who do not regularly participate in physical activities, such as weekend athletes, it is advisable to gradually increase daily activity levels by spreading out the concentrated exercise time typically reserved for the weekend throughout the week. Additionally, proper warm-up activities should be done before exercising. During workouts, one should choose an appropriate level of exercise based on their specific circumstances, avoiding strenuous activity that could lead to fatigue, and minimizing excessively long workout durations. The above recommendations are significant for preventing the occurrence of Achilles tendon ruptures.

Typical signs of an Achilles tendon rupture.

Feeling of being kicked + sound: It feels like my heel is being struck hard, and I often hear a 'pop' or 'bang' sound.

Immediately unable to stand on tiptoe: unstable on one foot, unable to raise the heel, walking with a limp, lacking strength to push off the ground.

Touching the indentation: There is a noticeable 'gap/pit' at the Achilles tendon, and urgent treatment methods for continuous interruption.

Emergency treatment after an injury.

In case of an emergency, one should perform a quick stop and remain still to prevent secondary injuries. If it's unclear whether there is a tendon injury, a strain, or a cramp, do not massage the area.

If there is an elastic bandage available, a compressive dressing should be applied. It is important to ensure that the dressing is not too tight to prevent distal ischemia. After applying the dressing, ice therapy can be administered.

It is essential to seek medical attention promptly for further accurate examination and treatment.

Treatment for Achilles tendon rupture.

The Department of Sports Medicine at Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital currently offers treatments such as minimally invasive open repair of the Achilles tendon using small incisions, strengthening with plantar fascia tendon transfer, and circumferential decompression suturing. These procedures take into account both the aesthetic aspect of the incision and postoperative functionality, achieving excellent clinical outcomes. After 3 to 6 weeks post-surgery, patients can change to an Achilles boot for early functional exercises and can resume normal activities within three months. Minimally invasive surgery not only results in less trauma and bleeding but also demonstrates significant advantages in controlling postoperative pain and swelling. Patients can begin rehabilitation exercises earlier, shortening the duration of bed rest and immobilization, thereby creating favorable conditions for early weight-bearing and functional recovery, helping them return to sports and daily life more swiftly and with better quality.

Content from: Guangdong Provincial Association for Science and Technology

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