How does achilles tear

When should you call your doctor? Call your doctor right away if you think you have an Achilles tendon problem at or above the back of your ankle and: The back of your heel and ankle are very painful. You felt a sharp pain like a direct hit to the Achilles tendon. You heard a pop in your Achilles tendon when you were injured.

You aren't able to walk comfortably. Your Achilles tendon area has begun to swell. You have signs of damage to the nerves or blood vessels.

Signs include numbness, tingling, a pins-and-needles feeling in your foot, and pale or bluish skin. Watchful waiting Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your doctor observe your symptoms or condition without using medical treatment.

Who to see Health professionals who can diagnosis and treat an Achilles tendon problem include: Emergency medical specialists , for sudden and severe acute Achilles problems. Family medicine physicians or internists who are familiar with foot and ankle injuries.

Podiatrists who are familiar with sports injuries. Sports medicine specialists. Orthopedic surgeons , particularly for an Achilles rupture. Exams and Tests Most doctors diagnose an Achilles tendon problem through a medical history and physical exam. Other tests may be done to clarify a diagnosis or to prepare for surgery. These tests include: Ultrasound. It may be used to check whether there is a rupture of the tendon or signs of tendinopathy.

X-rays , to check the heel bone. MRI scan to check the tendon for signs of tendinopathy or a tendon rupture. An MRI is also used to evaluate the heel bone. Treatment Overview Early treatment usually results in better healing.

Achilles tendinopathy To treat Achilles tendinopathy: Use home treatment. This includes resting your lower leg and foot, stretching the area, wearing cushioned shoes or other orthotics , and switching sports or modifying how you do sports that may have caused the problem. Reduce pain by using ice or taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , as directed.

Follow any physical therapy that your doctor has prescribed. This may include stretching and strengthening exercises, deep massage, heat, or ultrasound. Achilles tendon rupture Treatment for an Achilles tendon rupture includes: Surgery followed by rehabilitation rehab. This is the most common treatment for younger adults. Immobilizing your leg, followed by rehab. This prevents movement of the lower leg and ankle.

It allows the ends of the Achilles tendon to reattach and heal. What to think about Don't smoke or use other tobacco products. If you have an Achilles tendon rupture, your decision about whether to have surgery will depend in part on your: Age and activity level. For example, if you are an older adult who doesn't do activities that may cause another rupture and who doesn't want the added risk of surgery, you may choose to use a cast or similar device.

Medical condition. If you have another medical condition—such as diabetes or heart or lung disease—that raises the risks associated with surgery, you may choose to use a cast or similar device. Time since injury. Over time, the torn ends of the tendon shorten and pull away from each other. If they are too far apart, the surgery is less likely to work.

If surgery is chosen, many surgeons will wait a few days for the swelling to go down, then do the surgery as soon as possible. Prevention Most Achilles tendon injuries occur during sports. To help prevent injury, try to: Warm up.

Before any sport or intense activity, gradually warm up your body by doing 5 to 10 minutes of walking or biking. Cool down and stretch. After intense activity, gradually cool down with about 5 minutes of easy jogging, walking, or biking, and 5 minutes of stretches.

Avoid any sport or intense activity that you are not in condition to do. Wear shoes that cushion your heel during sports or any strenuous activity. Wear heel pads or other orthotics that are designed to reduce stress on the Achilles tendon. Home Treatment Home treatment is often used for Achilles tendinopathy as part of physical therapy or rehabilitation rehab after an Achilles tendon rupture.

Achilles tendinopathy Follow these steps to rest, heal, and strengthen your Achilles tendon and prevent further injury: Rest your Achilles tendon. Avoid all activities that strain the tendon, such as stair climbing or running. Try other activities, such as swimming, while you give your tendon the days, weeks, or months it needs to heal. Your doctor will tell you what you can and cannot do. Reduce pain by icing your Achilles tendon and taking nonprescription pain relievers such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs as directed.

Follow your physical therapy program if one has been prescribed for you. Do gentle stretching and strengthening exercises. Focus on calf stretches. Wear footwear that protects the tendon while it heals. Quality athletic shoes that support your arches and cushion your heels can make a big difference in your comfort and healing. If needed, talk to your physical therapist or podiatrist about heel pads or orthotics.

A bandage that keeps your foot in a neutral position not pointing up or down can restrict the motion of the Achilles tendon. A silicone sleeve or pad can distribute pressure on the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendon rupture No matter how you treat an Achilles tendon rupture, after treatment it's important to follow your rehab program. Medications You can use medicine to relieve pain from Achilles tendinopathy or an Achilles tendon rupture.

Acetaminophen such as Tylenol can relieve pain. These drugs include ibuprofen such as Advil and Motrin and naproxen such as Aleve. Surgery Achilles tendinopathy Surgery usually isn't needed to treat Achilles tendinopathy. Achilles tendon rupture Surgery is often used to reattach the ends of a ruptured Achilles tendon. Surgery choices Surgery for an Achilles tendon rupture can be done with a single large incision, which is called open surgery. What to think about The differences in age and activity levels of people who get surgery can make it hard to know if Achilles tendon surgery is effective.

The success of your surgery can depend on: Your surgeon's experience. The type of surgery you have. How damaged the tendon is. How soon after rupture the surgery is done. How soon you start your rehab program after surgery. How well you follow your rehab program. Other Treatment Other treatments are often used for Achilles tendinopathy or rupture. Achilles tendon rupture A cast or similar device can be used to prevent the lower leg and ankle from moving immobilization.

Achilles tendinopathy Common physical therapy treatments include: Stretching and flexibility exercises. Ultrasound heat therapy. Deep massage to help increase flexibility and blood circulation in the lower leg. Wearing a night brace. Experimental treatment Medical researchers continue to study new ways to treat tendon injuries.

Some of the treatments being studied include: Nitric oxide and glyceryl trinitrate, applied topically to the skin over the injury. Ultrasonic, or shock, waves directed at the injured tendon shock wave therapy for pain caused by calcific tendinitis calcium built up in the tendons.

Platelet-rich plasma PRP. In this procedure, blood is drawn from the person and spun at high speeds to separate out the blood cells called platelets. Then the platelets are injected back into the body at the injury site. Surgical interventions for treating acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 9. Credits Current as of: November 16, Top of the page Next Section: Health Tools. Previous Section: When should you call your doctor? Top of the page Next Section: Treatment Overview.

Previous Section: References Top of the page. Sometimes healthcare providers misdiagnose Achilles tendon injuries as sprained ankles. Several common injuries can make your Achilles tendon painful or prevent it from working well. Your healthcare provider will consider the following when making a diagnosis:.

Treatment depends on how badly injured your tendon is. It may include:. If these treatments don't work or if the injury is severe or complete, surgery may be considered. The type of surgery depends on the location and amount of damage to the tendon. It can also depend on other things, such as the severity of the tendonitis. Some of the surgical procedures used include:. Other complications can happen because of the treatments used to care for an Achilles tendon injury.

For instance:. Call your healthcare provider right away if you hear a pop sound and have sudden pain in the back of your leg or heel. Otherwise, schedule an appointment if pain or trouble moving affects your regular daily activities. Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:. Skip to content. Achilles Tendon Injuries Not what you're looking for?

Start New Search. What are Achilles tendon injuries? What causes Achilles tendon injuries? Achilles tendon injuries can be caused by the following: Tendonitis Tendonitis might be due to overuse or damage to the area. There are two main types of tendonitis: Noninsertional Achilles tendonitis. Small tears in the middle fibers of your tendon start to break it down. This causes pain and swelling. This type of tendonitis usually affects active, younger adults. Insertional Achilles tendonitis.

This damage occurs in the spot where your tendon meets your heel bone. Bone spurs extra bone growth often form with this type. This type of tendonitis can happen at any age, even in people who aren't active. Who is at risk for Achilles tendon injuries? The most common risk factors are: Increased amount or intensity of an activity or sport Starting a new sport Tight calf muscles when starting an exercise or sport, which can place more stress on your tendon Bone spurs on your heel, which can rub against the tendon Wearing the wrong shoes when you exercise Exercising on an uneven surface Treatment with the antibiotic fluoroquinolone.

What are the symptoms of an Achilles tendon injury? Common symptoms of tendon injuries include: Pain down the back of your leg or near your heel Pain that gets worse when you're active A stiff, sore Achilles tendon when you first get up Pain in the tendon the day after exercising Swelling with pain that gets worse as you're active during the day Thickening of your tendon Bone spurs on the heel bone Difficulty flexing the affected foot A pop sound and sudden sharp pain, which can mean a ruptured tendon.

How is an Achilles tendon injury diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will consider the following when making a diagnosis: Your overall health and medical history A description of your symptoms A physical exam of your Achilles tendon to check for bone spurs, pain, and swelling A test to see if you can move your ankle properly range of motion Imaging tests, such as ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI.

An X-ray shows bones and can show bone spurs and if the tendon has become calcified or hardened. These activities include basketball, cycling, diving, tennis, and track sports, as these put enormous stress on the tendon. Achilles tendon injuries are common among men between the ages of 30 to 40 and they are five times more common in male sports enthusiasts than female athletes. Men who play basketball, soccer, and tennis have higher risks, compared to other sports, as their sports involve a lot of running and jumping with sudden acceleration and deceleration.

Also, those who have excess weight may put extra strain on their tendon, so orthopedic doctor s usually advise weight loss. Those who take steroid injections and certain antibiotics are predisposed. The best thing to do if you are suspecting an Achilles tendon damage, especially after you've heard a pop, is to visit our foot doctor for an assessment. A thorough review of your history with heel pain is useful to guide diagnosis and therefor treatment.

Often your treating orthopedist will have a very good idea of your injury based on history alone. A physical exam and XRays help to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes advanced imaging, such as an MRI, is necessary for confirmation. A Thompson test is performed to determine if the Achilles tendon is ruptured. This is done by squeezing the calf muscles while the patient is lying face down with feet hanging unsupported off the table or with the knee bent.

Since the Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, uninjured patients should involuntarily bend their foot toward their soles plantar flexion as the calf muscle is squeezed. If the tendon is completely ruptured, no flexion will be observed as the muscle is no longer connected to the foot, resulting in a positive Thompson test.

A false-negative test may occur when the injury has healed on its own without proper medical or surgical management, or when treatment has been delayed. Delaying treatment over one month can result in permanent problems. According to this study, a false-negative test result may happen when other muscles and tendons still allow plantar flexion in spite of the ruptured Achilles tendon.