A ruptured Achilles tendon is a complete or partial tear of this connective tissue that causes sharp pain and trouble walking. At Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers with multiple locations in Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, and Mount Clemens, Michigan, the expert podiatrists diagnose and help rehabilitate Achilles ruptures. Call the nearest location or schedule online to receive acute care and long-term physical therapy to heal your Achilles injury.

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What is an Achilles tendon rupture?

Tendons connect muscle to bone. Your Achilles tendon runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. This “heel cord” helps you walk by lifting the heel off the ground.

A complete or partial tear of this tendon is an Achilles tendon rupture. The tear happens when the Achilles is stretched beyond its capacity.

What causes an Achilles rupture?

You may rupture your Achilles during sports play or due to trauma in day-to-day activity. Causes are often:

  • Forceful jumping or pivoting
  • Sudden accelerations of running
  • Falling
  • Tripping

Most often, people who participate in sports in their spare time and fail to warm up and condition properly are at risk. Occasionally, people with certain illnesses or who are on certain antibiotics or steroids may have a weaker tendon that’s susceptible to rupture.

What are the signs of an Achilles rupture?

Signs that you’ve ruptured your Achilles include:

  • Sudden pain – much like a kick or stab – at the back of your ankle or calf
  • Popper or snapping sensation in the ankle or lower leg
  • Swelling between the heel and calf
  • Difficulty walking, especially upstairs or uphill
  • Difficulty rising onto the toes

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate treatment from the experts at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers. Until you can get medical attention, use the RICE method of care: Rest, ice, compress, and elevate the injured ankle.

What’s the treatment for an Achilles rupture?

Once an Achilles rupture is diagnosed, treatment options may include conservative interventions or surgery. The severity of your rupture, your health status, and activity level help inform recommended treatment options. Nonsurgical treatment is appropriate for mild ruptures, less active patients, and those with any condition that makes surgery impossible. You may wear a walking boot, cast, or brace to restrict movement and allow the tendon to heal.

Surgery is recommended in severe ruptures or in patients who are at risk of re-rupture due to an active lifestyle. The surgeons at Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers offer several surgical interventions to repair the rupture from which they choose the one best suited to your particular case.

If you suspect you have an Achilles tendon rupture, contact Hosey and Murphy Foot & Ankle Centers for immediate care. Call or book online.