Achilles tendon rupture

Overview

The Achilles tendon are a tough fibrous connective tissues of the muscle attaching the calf to the heel bone. It is essential in most of the foot’s movement such as lifting the foot down, rising up the body using the toes and pulls the foot when walking.

When you injure the back of your lower leg due to sports or any activities, it may result in rupture or tear the Achilles tendon either partially or completely. This condition is called Achilles tendon rupture.

Signs & Symptoms

Achilles tendon rupture can be asymptomatic but the following symptoms can usually occur:

• A popping sound during the injury
• Inability to bend the foot downward or push off the affected leg during walking
• Feeling of being kicked in the calf
• Bruising at the back of the lower leg
• Inability to stand using the toes on the affected leg
• Sudden sharp pain and swelling on the injured heel area

When you hear a popping sound on your heel area or you can barely walk after the injury, you have to consult a sports medicine or orthopedic specialist immediately. 

Causes

A strong force applying on the foot area may cause the Achilles tendon to rupture. The healing process is often slow where this area is also known to have not much supply. The most common cause or Achilles tendon rupture are:

• Fall from height
• Extreme sports with a lot of jumping 
• Stepping inside loops.

Risk factors

Common risk factors that leads to Achilles tendon rupture, are as follows:

• Gender. Men are more prone to Achilles tendon rupture than women.
• Age. More common in 30 to 40 years old individuals.
• Obesity. Overweight people puts more loads on the tendon.
• Sports. Games which involve running, jumping, pivoting sudden switch of movements such as playing soccer, tennis, basketball, football and squash.
• Use of certain medications. Steroid injection which is used to reduce the pain and inflammation may also decrease the strength of the tendons and lead to its rupture. Some antibiotics such a fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin) may also cause an Achilles tendon rupture.