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All About Achilles Tendon Ruptures
At Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, we specialize in diagnosing and treating Achilles tendon ruptures using state-of-the-art technology and innovative, evidence-based approaches at our office in Clinton Township, Michigan.
If you have an Achilles tendon injury, your journey to recovery starts with understanding the injury.
Understanding Achilles tendon ruptures
An Achilles tendon rupture is a tear of the tendon that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. A partial tear involves some torn tendon fibers, while a complete tear involves the tendon being torn into two pieces.
You need a healthy, strong Achilles tendon for normal foot and ankle movement, including walking, running, and jumping.
An Achilles tendon rupture happens suddenly, often occurring when an already-damaged tendon can't bear any additional strain.
When it tears, you may experience a sudden “pop” or snap in the back of your ankle.
Most ruptures occur during activities that involve sudden starts or stops, such as basketball or tennis. But you can also experience a rupture with simple bad luck, such as stepping off a curb at an awkward angle.
Signs of an Achilles tendon rupture
Aside from the noise, you'll know if you experience an Achilles tendon rupture because it typically causes intense symptoms immediately. These include:
- A sudden, sharp pain in the back of your ankle or calf
- Swelling near the heel
- Bruising around the heel area
- Difficulty bearing weight
- Difficulty pointing your toes
- Inability to "push off" with your foot
You may also notice a visible depression in the skin where the tendon tore. If any of these symptoms sound familiar, don’t wait. Early intervention makes a big difference in your recovery.
Who's at risk for Achilles tendon ruptures?
Achilles tendon ruptures are a common sports injury, with a high incidence in middle-aged men who engage in high-impact sports. These injuries are particularly common among people who are "weekend warriors," and many fail to warm up properly.
However, anyone can suffer a rupture, especially if you’ve had a previous Achilles injury, taken certain medications (like corticosteroids or fluoroquinolone antibiotics), or suddenly increased your activity level. People who struggle with their weight have an increased risk of Achilles tendon rupture due to the extra pressure on the tendon.
Diagnosis and treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures
At Michigan Foot & Ankle Institute, our board-certified specialists use advanced imaging tools and draw upon years of clinical experience to assess the severity of your injury. Depending on your needs, we may recommend:
Conservative treatment
Conservative treatment is usually the first approach for partial ruptures. It generally involves allowing the tendon time to heal naturally. Most patients wear a walking boot or cast for two to four weeks. Many patients find symptom relief with oral anti-inflammatory medications and rest as their tendon heals.
Although some foot and ankle injuries respond positively to corticosteroid injections, that's not the case with Achilles tendon ruptures. Corticosteroids can further weaken an already-damaged Achilles tendon.
Physical therapy is essential as your tendon heals. If you've tried nonsurgical treatments and your Achilles tendon isn't healing, our doctors may recommend surgery as the next step.
Surgical repair
Surgery might be the best path forward for some Achilles tendon ruptures, particularly for nonhealing partial ruptures or complete ruptures that can't heal on their own.
Our experienced foot and ankle surgeons repair Achilles tendon ruptures, often using minimally invasive techniques.
The repair itself is only the first part of the recovery. As with nonsurgical approaches, physical therapy is crucial to your recovery, especially for active patients who want to return to high-level physical activity.
If you think you’ve ruptured your Achilles tendon or you're experiencing unexplained heel or calf pain, don’t wait. We have extended hours and budget-friendly pricing, so there's no reason to suffer.
Call our Clinton Township, Michigan office at 586-999-9953 to book your appointment.
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