The Achilles tendon, located at the back of the foot, connects the two muscles in the back of the calf, the soleus and the gastrocnemius, with the heel bone. Tears in the Achilles tendon often occur in people who play sports as a result of a sudden increase of stress on the muscle. The Achilles tendon and the muscles it attaches to help a person sprint, jump or climb, eOrthopod explains. A tear in the Achilles tendon can be partial or complete.
Injury Type
A tendon is a thick, fibrous band of tissue that stretches when a person moves. If the tendon stretches too far, small microscopic tears in the fibers occur. Partial tears can heal over time. If the tear is severe, the tendon may tear completely, leaving the two ends completely detached.
Risk Factors
People who increase their physical activity have a higher risk of rupturing the Achilles tendon. The risk of rupture also increases in people who have an abnormal alignment of their legs, such as one leg being shorter than the other, in obese people and those with diabetes. Men, especially those between the ages of 30 and 40, have five times more risk of Achilles tendon rupture than women, MayoClinic.com reports.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Achilles tendon rupture include a sudden popping or snapping sensation and pain, possibly severe. The person may feel like something hit or kicked them in the back of the calf. He may be unable to rise up on his toes and may be unable to bend the foot downward or "push off" the injured leg when walking. Swelling of the calf and foot may occur. A partial tear may cause less pain and swelling and the foot can still move.
Diagnosis
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, can see the difference between a partial or complete tear if there's any question about the diagnosis, MayoClinic.com states.
Treatment
A partial tear usually heals without surgery. Wearing a cast or walking boot allows the tear to heal. Complete tears can be treated nonsurgically in some cases, if the tear is small, but the tendon is more likely to rupture again in the future without surgical treatment. Surgical repair is usually necessary, especially if the torn end of the tendon retracts or pulls back into the leg, leaving the torn ends too far apart to reconnect. Surgical repair can be done through very small incisions that heal more quickly and cause fewer surgical complications, The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy reports.
