ACHILLES TENDON TEAR & REPAIR
MEDIA LINKS
CONDITION OVERVIEW
FOOT ANATOMY
The Achilles tendon is a large, strong fibrous cord that connects the calf muscles in the back of the leg to the back of the heel bone (calcaneus). The Achilles tendon and the calf muscles work together to point the foot downward and to raise the heel upward. You rely on it virtually every time you move your foot. This motion enables you to walk, jump, stand on your toes, and climb stairs. If the Achilles tendon ruptures you may be unable to perform such movements.
The Achilles tendon is a large, strong fibrous cord that connects the calf muscles in the back of the leg to the back of the heel bone (calcaneus). The Achilles tendon and the calf muscles work together to point the foot downward and to raise the heel upward. You rely on it virtually every time you move your foot. This motion enables you to walk, jump, stand on your toes, and climb stairs. If the Achilles tendon ruptures you may be unable to perform such movements.
A loud “pop” may be heard when the Achilles tendon ruptures. You may feel a sudden painful “snap” in the back of your calf or lower leg followed by sharp severe pain. Swelling and skin discoloration in the back of the calf will often develop because of bleeding beneath the skin. You may be unable to point your foot downward or raise your heel upward, making it difficult to walk, jump, stand on your toes, and climb stairs.
For individuals with active lifestyles and who want to return to strenuous recreational activities, physicians recommend surgery to reattach the torn Achilles tendon. Surgery is generally very effective and the risk of complication is typically low. The surgery will require anesthesia but is usually performed on an out-patient basis.
During surgery, the surgeon makes a three to four inch opening behind the ankle and reattaches the tendon ends to each other or to the bone. The foot is placed in a pointed position in a splint or short leg cast. The splint or cast is worn for four to six weeks. You will participate in physical therapy when the healing is complete.
Individuals with surgical and non-surgical repair have good to excellent rates of returning to full activity levels with proper treatment and rehabilitation. The length of time for healing is highly variable.
Generally, individuals with surgical repair can return to walking and swimming at six weeks, and gradually return to sports several months from the surgery. They have a lower risk of repeated tendon rupture and a better chance of regaining full strength in the leg.
Individuals with non-surgical repair will often participate in rehabilitation for a longer period of time. They have a higher risk of repeated tendon rupture and loss of strength.
Achilles tendon ruptures most commonly occur in men between the ages of 30 and 50 years old that participate in sports. People with Achilles tendonitis are susceptible to tendon rupture.