How Bad is a Ruptured Achilles Tendon?

If you look in a dictionary, you’ll find this sensible definition of a rupture:
“rup·ture | \ ˈrəp(t)-shər — a breaking apart or the state of being broken apart; the tearing apart of a tissue.”
It all sounds very medical and rational on paper. “Ah, yes,” we muse, “hmmm, the tissue being torn apart.” However, at the moment of an Achilles tendon rupture, the defining words coming out of a person’s mouth will probably be a bit more colorful. A ruptured Achilles tendon is extremely painful. Let’s take a closer look at why it’s such a difficult injury.
What is the Achilles tendon?
The Achilles connects your heel bone to your calf muscles. Without it, you couldn’t lift your heel off the ground, so it’s vital for climbing, walking, running, and jumping. It also happens to be the thickest, strongest tendon in the body, so a complete or partial tear is a big, painful deal.
The Achilles tendon can rupture when subjected to a major force such as:
- An abrupt change in direction, which can happen when playing lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, tennis, basketball, or a host of other sports
- A sudden increase in speed
- Running uphill or on an uneven surface
- Accidentally stepping into a hole or off a curb
You can suspect you’ve torn your Achilles tendon if you hear a loud popping sound at the moment of injury. Other symptoms include:
- swelling, bruising, and tenderness at the point of injury
- pain in the back of your ankle near your heel
- an inability to bear weight or walk
Our experienced podiatric surgeons, Dr. Craig B. Frey, Dr. Megan L. Oltmann, and Dr. Jim Swienconek, can evaluate your lower leg injury, determine if you’ve ruptured your Achilles tendon, and recommend the best course of treatment. Treatment may include rest, icing, wearing a boot for several months, or, in many cases, surgery to repair the torn tendon. Call Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland in Solon, Ohio, at (440) 903-1041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation. We offer a modern office with the latest technology for podiatric patients in Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties, proudly serving our patients from Solon, Aurora, Bedford, Chagrin Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, and Twinsburg.