Total Achilles Tendon Rupture

The Achilles tendon is the tendon that runs from your calf muscle at the back of your lower leg and inserts in at the back of the heel. It is more common injury in older men who are recreational athletes. It sometimes occurs following a history of inflammation or degeneration of the tendon but nearly always results from a sudden event such as pushing off hard on the toes or suddenly bending the foot upwards.

Symptoms of a total achilles tendon rupture:

• A sudden sharp pain as if someone has whacked you in the back of the leg with something.
• This will often be accompanied by a load crack or bang.
• You will be unable to walk properly and unable to stand on tip toe.
• There may be a gap felt in the tendon.
• There will be a lot of swelling.
• A positive result for Thompson's test (see below).

Treatment and rehabilitation of a total achilles tendon rupture:

What can the athlete do?

• Seek professional help immediately. The sooner you get this injury operated on the more chance you have of making a full recovery. Any longer than two days and you are in trouble.
• Apply ice.

What can a Sports Injury Specialist or Doctor do?

• Confirm the diagnosis.
• Operate on the tendon.
• Sometimes the leg is put in a plaster cast and allowed to heal without surgery. This is generally not the preferred method. It takes longer to heal and longer to start on rehabilitation.

How long might you be out of training for?

You can expect to be out of competition for 6 to 9 months after surgery. This is increased to 12 months if you just have the Achilles immobilized in plaster instead of operated on. There is also a greater risk of re-injury if you do not have the surgery.

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