Achilles Tendon Rupture

By: Anthony Carragher

What is the Achilles tendon?• The Achilles tendon is a large ropelike band of fibrous tissue in

the back of the ankle that connects the calf muscles to the calcaneus.

• The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. • It is needed to do easy activities as walking, running, and

jumping.• A complete tear through the tendon, which occurs about 2

inches above the heel, is called an Achilles tendon rupture.

Causes of the rupture

• This injury often occurs during sports that require jumping, pivoting, and running.

• You make a forceful push-off with your foot while your knee is straightened by the thigh muscles. For example, starting a foot race or jumping.

• You suddenly trip, and your foot steps in front to stop you from falling which makes you overstretch the tendon.

What are the symptoms?

• One symptom maybe a sudden pain in the back of the ankle or sometimes even the calf.

• When the rupture first happens, sometimes a loud pop or snap is heard

• After the first couple days of pain, it will swell and become stiff, soon bruising and weakness will follow.

• Pushing off the foot when walking would be impossible to do.

Special tests-MRI or ultrasound

• Sometimes MRI and ultrasound can be used to help with the diagnosis.

• These can determine what treatment would be best.

• Sometimes it can be misdiagnosed as a small tendon injury, so a MRI is the best way to be completely sure.

Special Tests-Thompson’s test

• This is used by a doctor to see if there is a complete rupture of the tendon.

• The doctor would lay you on your stomach and squeeze the calf and the foot will point out.

• Below is a video of the test.• Thompson's Test

Treatment

• P.R.I.C.E• Sometimes surgery is required, sometimes it

isn‘t.• No matter which one you pick, it will be up to

6 weeks in a cast, or a special brace. • Every 2 to 4 weeks, a new brace will be

needed to stretch the tendon back to normal length.

Surgery-Pros and Cons

• If your option is to get the surgery, it will put you out of action for at least 6 weeks or more.

• The operation requires the surgeon to sew the two ends of the tendon together.

• If you decide to get the surgery, it makes the recovery time less, and allows higher level of functioning

• The risks of the surgery are infection, and sometimes accidental nerve damage.

How do I stop this from happening?

• A great way to prevent this is stretching the Achilles and pre-activity warm-up.

• Conditioning of the muscle can also help the tendon to rupture

• Lastly, take it easy, meaning work your way up to a level of activity that you can manage.

References

• http://www.achillestendon.com/

• http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/85024-overview

• http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/leg_injuries/a/leg5.htm

• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/achilles_tendon_rupture/article_em.htm