Your Achilles Tendon is located at the back of your calf, just above your heel bone. An Achilles Tendon rupture occurs when the tendon tissue tears and separates into two pieces. Ruptures are also known as “complete” tendon tears.
Causes
Achilles Tendon ruptures can be caused by:
- Increased level of physical activity
- Sports that involve a lot of jumping, running and pivoting (soccer, football, tennis)
- Falling
Generally speaking, Achilles Tendon ruptures occur when the tissue has been stretched beyond its limit.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an Achilles rupture:
- Swelling at the back of your calf
- Sudden, sharp pain
- Popping or snapping sound
- Decreased mobility
Surgery
Surgery is the only treatment method for an Achilles Tendon rupture that will actually repair the tendon. However, it should be noted that there are complications and risks associated with surgery that you should be aware of. These include nerve damage, infection, scarring and more. After your surgery you should use cold compression therapy to bring down the initial inflammation. Stimulating blood flow after the swelling goes down will help speed up the healing process. Your doctor may recommend that you do physical therapy as rehab to help restore strength and stability to your Achilles.
