Achilles Tendon Rupture: An Athlete’s Achilles’ Heel
Your Achilles tendon serves to connect your heel bone to your calf muscle and plays an important role in many of your daily motions: walking, jumping, running all depend on a healthy and functioning Achilles tendon. The tendon is vulnerable to injury, most commonly a rupturing or tearing of the tendon.
What Can Cause An Achilles Tendon To Rupture?
Certain things can put you at risk for experiencing an Achilles tendon rupture. Recreational athletes are particularly more susceptible to the injury, with men being five times more likely than women to experience it. Although the tear can result from a forceful trauma to the back of the heel, it is most often caused by a sudden flexing of the ankle, as can happen during sports play. This same motion can occur as a result of a trip, fall or jump. Below are some ways you can lessen your risk of experiencing a ruptured Achilles tendon.
- Stretching and strengthening calf muscles helps relieve the strain on the Achilles tendon and increase its range of motion. A strong Achilles tendon is nothing without strong calf muscles to back it!
- As always, be careful of where and what surfaces you are running on. Smooth running surfaces are the key to safety.
- Beware of the “weekend warrior effect” which is commonly seen as a cause of Achilles tendon injuries – i.e. when usually sedentary individuals suddenly place undue stress on the tendon during “pick up” sports or other rare recreational activity.
Treatment of Achilles Tendon Rupture
An Achilles tendon rupture will present itself as a sudden, stabbing pain in the back of the ankle with difficulty walking after the injury. There may be swelling, and a gap that can be felt just above the heel. Your doctor may have you lie down and try to engage your calf muscle; if your foot doesn’t flex automatically it’s assumed your tendon has ruptured. Treatments for a ruptured tendon include:
- Surgery that stitches the tendon back together.
- Wearing a cast and allowing your tendon to heal back together on its own over time.
The specific treatment selected depends on many factors, such as age, usual activity level, and associated medical conditions. If you suspect an Achilles tendon injury, call Matthew Boes M.D. early so that appropriate evaluation and treatment may be instituted.
I’m still learning from you, as I’m making my way to the top as well. I definitely love reading everything that is written on your site.Keep the aarticles coming. I enjoyed it!
My brother recommended I might like this web site. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Wow! Thank you! I constantly needed to write on my website something like that. Can I include a fragment of your post to my blog?
I just want to say I’m very new to weblog and seriously liked your web blog. Most likely I’m going to bookmark your website . You surely have fantastic article content. Appreciate it for sharing your website page.
I just want to tell you that I’m all new to blogging and absolutely enjoyed your web blog. Likely I’m planning to bookmark your website . You certainly have excellent stories. Thanks a bunch for sharing your web site.
My brother recommended I might like this blog. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
I relish, cause I discovered just what I was taking a look for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Hi, i think that i saw you visited my website so i came to “return the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is great, as well as the content!
I just want to say I am just new to blogging and site-building and actually loved your page. Very likely I’m planning to bookmark your blog post . You surely have remarkable articles. Regards for sharing with us your webpage.
Hello.This post was extremely fascinating, particularly since I was searching for thoughts on this topic last Monday.
Hello there, just kalysdi changed into aware of your weblog through Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate in case you proceed this in future. Lots of people might be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!
I have recently started a website, the information you provide on this site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I simply want to mention I am just newbie to blogging and site-building and honestly savored this web blog. Most likely I’m want to bookmark your website . You amazingly have awesome writings. Thank you for sharing your blog.
What’s Taking place kalysdi i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It positively helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & assist other customers like its aided me. Good job.
Hi there very cool blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also¡KI am happy to search out numerous helpful info right here within the put up, we need work out extra techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Wonderful work! That is the type of information that are meant to be shared across the net. Disgrace on the seek engines for now not positioning this submit higher! Come on over and consult with my site . Thanks =)
Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea