Where is Achilles Tendon? How Is It Injured ?
Achilles tendon is the name of the tendon that connects the calf muscles behind the leg to the heel bone. It is the body’s thickest, largest load-bearing tendon. This tendon may rupture due to excessive tension / loading. Sudden ruptures may occur with exposure to loads that it cannot bear or tensile stress.
How Do We Know that Our Achilles Tendon Ruptures?
In cases of ruptures usually occur during sporting activities, patients describe a sudden and severe breaking off feeling, sometimes accompanied by a sharp pain behind the legs and/or the ankle. They express walking difficulties and limping. They say they think somebody hit over his/her ankle from behind.
Pain, swelling, sometimes bruising can be described. The difficulty in moving the ankle forward (step on the gas) and in walking on the toes is noteworthy.
It usually occurs in men aged 30-40 years. It is mostly seen during basketball, football, and tennis activities. It may be that some drug uses tend to rupture the tendon. Most of the Achilles tendon ruptures can be diagnosed with physical examination findings, while in some cases magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be needed.
How Should Achilles Tendon Rupture Be Treated?
Treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures is essential. It does not fully heal by itself, and results in disability that disrupts daily life.
Treatment can be performed in two ways;
- Surgical treatment: Surgery is usually the preferred method of suturing of the tendon stumps.
- Non-surgical treatment: Using plaster casts and specially designed boots for this condition and subsequent programmed rehabilitation programs is possible. Although it is possible to be protected from infection, wound problems, and other possible risks related to surgery, it also has the disadvantages of inadequate recovery and re-rupture. No matter which treatment is chosen, special rehabilitation programs, physical therapy modalities, and exercises to strengthen the leg muscles and tendon itself are essential. The average return to old work and daily life is 4-6 months.