Achilles Tendon Rupture
Overview
Causes
The exact cause is not known. It is thought to be caused by:
- Putting sudden stress on the muscle, such as from landing a jump, lunging, or sprinting
- Stretching the muscle too far
- Falling or tripping
Risk Factors
This problem is more common in people who:
- Are 30 to 40 years of age, often males who play sports
- Are over 60 years old, often women when climbing stairs
- Play basketball or racket sports
Some other things that may raise the risk are:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Recent changes in activity
- Poor footwear
- Alignment problems
- Calf muscles that are weak or are not flexible
- Prior rupture
- Obesity
- Certain medicines, such as fluoroquinolones
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Problems may be:
- Sudden pain at the back of the heel
- A popping or snapping noise
- Swelling between the heel and calf
- Problems walking
- Problems pushing off from the ball of the foot
Treatments
Treatment
Treatment depends on the amount of damage and the person's health. Options are:
Supportive Care
A minor rupture in someone who is less active or not well enough for surgery may be treated with:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation
- Medicines to ease pain and swelling
- Crutches or a walker to keep weight off of the leg
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles
Surgery
Surgery may be done to sew the tendon back together. This lowers the risk of it rupturing again.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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