Achilles Tendon Tear

Causes of Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Overuse http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Running on Hills and Hard Surfaces http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Poor Stretching habits http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Tight or weak Calf Muscles http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Worn-out or ill-fitting shoes http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Flatfeet http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
Prevention of Achilles Tendon Rupture
- Gently stretch your Achilles tendon and calf muscles before physical activities. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Perform stretching exercises slowly and do not bounce during a stretch. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Alternate high-impact sports with low-impact sports http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Maintain a healthy weight http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Perform stretching exercises slowly and don't bounce during a stretch http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...
- Alternate high-impact sports with low-impact sports http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achille...

view more fast facts...

Achilles Tendon Tear

The Achilles Tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. When the tendon tears, the person feels a pop or snap at the back of the ankle. It often sounds similar to a gunshot.
Achilles Tendon Ruptures can be caused by previous injuries, poor stretching, or sudden movements. Often, ruptures occur during high-impact sports such as, football or basketball. Surgery is the common treatment.
How does an Achilles Tendon Rupture Feel?

First, the person will feel a pop. Next, an immediate sharp pain in the back of the ankle. It feels like being kicked or shot. While the person may be able to walk on the injured foot, it will feel very strange. The person should not place weight on the foot.
How does a doctor test for Achilles Tendon Ruptures?

First, the doctor will ask how the injury occurred. If it is a complete rupture, surgery is usually required.
When questionable, the doctor will order an (MRI). The doctor may also ask the person to lay on your back and squeeze your calf. If the tendon is torn, the foot will not reflex when the calf is squeezed. The rupture can also be seen with an ultra sound.
Does an Achilles Rupture always require surgery?

[Surgery] is the common treatment for a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon. The procedure involves making an incision in the back of the lower leg, shaving off the torn tendon and stitching the two stronger pieces of the tendon together.
Video of Surgery (Also see this video at top of page and leave comments). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YK_qLk1alw
[Nonsurgical treatment] involves wearing a cast or boot, which allows torn tendons to reattach. This method avoids risks, such as infection. For a highly active person, the likelihood of re-rupture is higher with a nonsurgical approach. If re-rupture occurs, surgery may be more difficult.
What happens after surgery?

After surgery, there are 6 to 8 weeks walking boot and cast. The foot is pointed slightly downward to avoid stretching the surgical repair. Often, the foot is placed in a walking boot with wedged that the doctor gradually removes until the foot is flat.
What is rehabilitation like?

After surgical or nonsurgical treatment, there will be a rehabilitation program involving physical therapy exercises to strengthen leg and tendon. In 4 to 6 months, the person may return to normal activities. Recovery depends on the quality of the rehab program and commitment of the person.

Share Achilles Experiences!

This is basic video of what the surgeon does during surgery.

Comment, share experiences,and help others with the process of surgery and recovery!

Leave suggestions and help this page get even better!

Comments (5)

the_brain added a comment June 25, 2009 01:29 AM
| Report

Achilles Tendon Ruptures are not fun. I just had surgery and have a fairly long recovery ahead of me.

truckdriver99 added a comment June 26, 2009 05:44 PM
| Report

Sounds painful!

the_brain added a comment June 27, 2009 07:09 PM
| Report

Yeah I have to keep my foot elevated all day.

baby_panda added a comment June 27, 2009 10:06 PM
| Report

My boyfriend is going through that. He is going for his follow-up and has a to get a boot on his foot soon. This site has a lot of good information on it. It's a pain in the butt for him to be on crutches.

the_brain added a comment June 27, 2009 10:11 PM
| Report

Yea crutches are a pain in the butt, I had to take a test this summer and it was horrible having to find elevator and then it my arms became jello lol.

Write a comment...
Achilles Tendon Tear Links Powered by Google
- Achilles Tendon Rupture Blog
  achillestendonblog.com
- Achilles tendon rupture - MayoClinic.com
  
  Achilles tendon rupture — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, treatment of serious lower leg injury.
  mayoclinic.com
- Everything About Achilles Tendons
  achillestendon.com
- CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF ACHILLES TENDON TEAR - DECISION MAKING ...
  
  CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF ACHILLES TENDON TEAR - DECISION MAKING WITH THE HELP OF ULTRASOUND -- Eylon et al. 84-B (2004): 314 -- The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (Proceedings)
  proceedings.jbjs.org.uk
- Achilles Tendon Rupture: eMedicine Sports Medicine
  emedicine.medscape.com
view more links...
Achilles Tendon Tear Videos Powered by YouTube
view more videos...
Achilles Tendon Tear Blogs
- Nate McMillan's Achilles Tendon Surgery is Successful | Blaze of Love
  
  Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach Nate McMillan underwent successful surgery Monday to repair a ruptured right Achilles tendon. He is expected to make a full recovery and return to the bench for the Trail Blazers' Dec. 15 game vs. ... (December 07, 2009)
  blazeoflove.com
- Coach McMillan ruptures tendon, faces surgery | The Blazers Beat ...
  
  I'm not a doctor or anything, but I have ruptured achilles tendon personal experience. There's no way he's walking around on the sidelines in regular dress shoes. This is a ZERO-WEIGHT-BEARING injury for 4-6 weeks. ... He must be in ... (December 04, 2009)
  oregonlive.com
- The Dew Review: Back, Knee, Elbow, Trachea, and Hock Round out the ...
  
  Voodoo first came to Azzore back in June for hyper extension of the left hock secondary to calcaneal tendon disruption (in plain English, a traumatic injury to his Achilles tendon). TREATMENT: This is a difficult injury to repair, ..... (November 23, 2009)
  azzorevet.blogspot.com
- Achilles Tendon Pain - Causes and Treatment | Current Health ...
  
  Achilles tendon rupture is a partial or complete tear of Achilles tendon occuring during normal use in Achiles tendonitis, or due to an injury, often in sport. In either of the situations, the patient has a significant ... (November 14, 2009)
  healthhype.com
view more blogs...
Achilles Tendon Rupture Images Powered by Flickr and Google
view more images...
Mahalo Answers for Achilles Tendon Tear
- Whats the best way to wrap an ankle for Achilles tendonitis? 1 Answer
  
  Have you seen an orthopedist? I was diagnosed with Achilles tendonitis about 2 years ago and was sent to physical therapy. The doctor did not recommend that I... read more
- What and why is called as Achilles Heel? 5 Answers
  
  Achilles was a god in Greek mythology. His mom held him by his heel when she dipped him in a stream and made him invulnerable to all weapons. He was killed by a... read more
- how do you cure a sore achilles tendon 2 Answers
  
  Your doctor is always your best source of information and information on Mahalo or any other website should only be used as "ideas" or guides; not intended as m... read more
view more questions...
Achilles Tendon Tear News
- Blazers coach ruptures Achilles
  
  (AP) — Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan ruptured his right Achilles tendon during practice Friday and will need surgery. ... (December 04, 2009)
  USA Today
- Blazers F Fernandez has procedure on back
  
  Even coach Nate McMillan had surgery on Monday to repair a ruptured Achilles' tendon. McMillan injured his right Achilles while practicing with the Blazers ... (December 08, 2009)
  USA Today
- Game reaction: Knicks 93, Blazers 84
  
  And the head coach, Nate mcmillan, required surgery Monday back in Portland after tearing an Achilles tendon while filling in during practice drills for ... (December 08, 2009)
  OregonLive.com
- Chiefs' Alleman looks to science for an edge
  
  Still, he'd never had an Achilles' injury. Never even felt tightness or discomfort in either tendon, the cable that connects the heel to the calf muscle. ... (December 08, 2009)
  Victoria Advocate
view more news...
Achilles Tendon Tear on Google Products
- Achilles Tendon Walker, Large - $117.7
  
  Achilles Tendon Walker and Replacement Insoles
  
  www.3tailer.com
- Achilles Tendon Walker - Large - 1 pair - $126.5
  
  Achilles Tendon Walker - Get the lowest price on Achilles Tendon Walker, online at AllegroMedical.com. $126.50 Achilles Tendon Walker
  
  www.allegromedical.com
- AZ of Orthopaedic Radiology - $73.95
  bookshop.blackwell.com
- Teaching Atlas of Musculoskeletal Imaging Anthony Ryan, Peter Munk Hardcover NON-FICTION ENGLISH 9781588903723 - $123.53
  www.keenzo.com
Achilles Tendon Tear Comments on Backtype Powered by Backtype
- I am a female anorexic. I also have a host of other mental disorders. AMA
  
  I wear heels daily, believe it or not. I used to have an achilles tendon tear and heals lessen the pain. I used my height for good though when I played volleyball my first year of college.
  tessagrace | http://www.reddit.com/ Original | Permalink (November 28, 2009 10:35 PM)
- Sports Illustrated on Oscar Pistorius
  
  [...] runners have longer feet for more contact area while pushing off, and shorter Achilles tendon lever arms that generate more force if not sizable leverage. Looking at [...] doesn't undergo the same wear and tear as muscles do so I speculate that [...]
  Ron | http://www.sportsscientists.com/ Original | Permalink (November 20, 2009 05:54 AM)
- The Stress Fracture Sidestep: A Runner’s Dance
  
  [...] tooi was so upset when i injured my achilles-i've never done that. i [...] me go to the drpodiatrist said an insertional achilles tendon tear (where the tendon attaches to the heel)i wore a boot for a [...] to take it easy...you don't want to tear the darned thing!
  tabitha | http://chocolatecoveredkatie.wordpress.com/ Original | Permalink (October 15, 2009 03:49 PM)
- As per request- IAmA NYC Firefighter who was at the WTC on 9/11. I was also at the crash o...
  
  [...] had flew around pretty fast and the left pedal actually snipped my achilles tendon which rolled up inside my [...] stood up. I knew it was an achilles tear because the pain was very [...] is no way you ruptured your achilles because you would not be biking [...]
  jayzone | http://www.reddit.com/ Original | Permalink (October 13, 2009 03:51 AM)
- A whole new world...of hurt
  
  [...] can hear or see (like bloody toes or an achey achilles). If you're an overpronator, check your post tib tendon for wear and tear/thickness. Check in THERE - your achilles may not be where you experience added stress. And while [...]
  Davi | http://crossfitnyc.com/ Original | Permalink (October 13, 2009 12:59 AM)