[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/matts-story\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/matts-story\/","headline":"Matt’s Story: Runner Recovers from Achilles Tendon Injury with Physical Therapy","name":"Matt’s Story: Runner Recovers from Achilles Tendon Injury with Physical Therapy","description":"Matt loves to run \u2013 so much so that in August 2020 he ran 21 marathons in 21 days. While the challenge was a success, he came out of it having injured his right Achilles tendon. It progressively worsened, and he could no longer run on it. After a few failed attempts at various treatments, […]","datePublished":"2022-02-01","dateModified":"2022-12-09","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GettyImages-469811054.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/GettyImages-469811054.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/matts-story\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":404,"articleBody":"Matt loves to run \u2013 so much so that in August 2020 he ran 21 marathons in 21 days. While the challenge was a success, he came out of it having injured his right Achilles tendon. It progressively worsened, and he could no longer run on it.After a few failed attempts at various treatments, Matt spoke to his neighbor about his experience. He recommended Matt see Brian Caricato, PT, DPT, OCS, at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute outpatient rehabilitation location in Allison Park.At this point, Matt hadn\u2019t run for a full year and was ready to get back to what he loves.What to Expect in Physical Therapy\u201cThe planning Brian did was very valuable,” Matt says. \u201cThe first day Brian spent about an hour trying different approaches, giving me hope because he was so optimistic, and coming up with a game plan.”Matt attended physical therapy (PT) two to three times per week at first for about 45 minutes per session. He worked on a combination of 10 to 15 exercises each time \u2013 including calf raises, stretching, resistance band training, and more.\u201cYou name it, I did it,” Matt says.He shares that the beneficial exercises from PT were easy to take home with him. That’s because of an app that he and his therapist used to collaborate throughout rehab and recovery.After completing PT with Brian, Matt was able to compete again right away. Recovery took about 15 months, and in November 2021 he felt close to 100% capable of his previous performance. While Matt shares that he\u2019s typically a tough critic, he gave his experience a 10 out of 10.\u201cI hope to not have another injury,\u201d Matt says, \u201cbut I look forward to going back to the outpatient rehab facility in Allison Park because I enjoyed the staff so much. Morning, noon, or night \u2013 they were always respectful and working hard.\u201dOutpatient Rehabilitation in Allison ParkThe UPMC Rehabilitation Institute outpatient rehabilitation location in Allison Park location is conveniently located at the UPMC Outpatient Center in Hampton Township. The location offers free on-site parking and is handicap accessible. Services in Allison Park include:Amputation program.Balance therapy.Hand therapy.Lower-extremity limb-loss program.Neurorehabilitation.Occupational therapy.Physical therapy.Speech therapy.Sports rehab programs.To learn more about UPMC Rehabilitation Institute or to schedule an appointment, please call 1-888-723-4277 or visit our website.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 1, 2022, and was last reviewed on May 19, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2022","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Matt’s Story: Runner Recovers from Achilles Tendon Injury with Physical Therapy","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/matts-story\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]