Tendons are tough, fibrous bands of tissue that connects a muscle to a bone. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel and assists with walking. A rupture of this tendon may occur due to overstretching or from an injury to the back of the leg. Symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture include a popping sensation when the injury occurs, pain, swelling and an inability to rise up on the toes. Proper stretching and decreasing high-impact stress to the legs helps to decrease the possibility of rupturing the Achilles tendon.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Immediate treatment of the injury includes using the RICE method. This method includes rest, ice, compression and elevation for the injured area. The individual avoids walking on the injured foot. Applying ice to the injury every hour for about 15 minutes and wrapping the ankle with an elastic wrap will help decrease the swelling in the ankle. Raising the foot higher than heart level will also help decrease swelling in the area. Nonsurgical options for treating the ruptured tendon include placing the foot in a cast or walking boot to allow the tendon to heal without reinjury. This method is best for patients who cannot undergo surgery and for minor ruptures of the Achilles tendon. Using a nonsurgical treatment increases the risk of reinjuring the tendon, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Surgical Repair
The treatment of choice for repairing a ruptured Achilles tendon is surgery. During the operation, the surgeon stitches the torn ligament back together. The surgery may also include reinforcing the repair with surrounding tendons. Following the surgical repair, the surgeon places the foot into a cast, brace or walking boot for two months, according to MayoClinic.com. The surgical repair of the injury may help improve movement of the ankle and can increase strength when pushing off the ball of the foot. Possible complications of surgical repair include infection, nerve pain and rerupturing the tendon.
Rehabilitation
Whether surgical or nonsurgical repairs treat the ruptured Achilles tendon, rehabilitation is the final step in healing the injury. Rehabilitation includes exercising the foot and leg to strengthen the muscles and tendons. These exercises also help improve the range of motion in the ankle. Physical therapy may continue for the Achilles tendon for up to a year following the rupture to prevent injuring the area again.
