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People with an Achilles tendon rupture commonly seek immediate treatment at a hospital's emergency department. You might also need to consult with doctors specializing in sports medicine or orthopedic surgery.
With proper treatment, most Achilles tendon ruptures fully heal within four to six months. Having surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon is usually the best option for younger, active people. After surgical repair, you can regain your Achilles tendon’s full strength and function.
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.
Etiology. Causes of Achilles tendon rupture include sudden forced plantar flexion of the foot, direct trauma, and long-standing tendinopathy or intratendinous degenerative conditions. Sports often associated with Achilles tendon rupture include soccer, basketball, and racquet games. [1] .
You'll likely first bring your symptoms to the attention of your family doctor. He or she might refer you to a doctor specializing in sports medicine or physical and rehabilitative medicine (physiatrist). If your Achilles tendon has ruptured, you may need to see an orthopedic surgeon.
If your Achilles tendon ruptures, you might hear a pop, followed by an immediate sharp pain in the back of your ankle and lower leg that is likely to affect your ability to walk properly. Surgery is often performed to repair the rupture.
How is an Achilles tendon rupture treated? Most people with active lifestyles will need surgery to recover from a complete Achilles rupture. Nonsurgical treatment may be successful for a less athletic individual when the rupture is identified immediately (within 24 hours) and the person is placed in a cast with the toes pointed downward.
It’s possible to treat minor Achilles tendon ruptures with rest, elevation, and physical therapy, but there are some caveats — the biggest one being that, without surgery, the tendon is...
The mechanism, diagnosis, and management of Achilles tendon rupture are reviewed here. Achilles tendinopathy and other injuries and conditions affecting the ankle and heel region are discussed separately.
Recent studies suggest that non-surgical and surgical treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures produce equivalent results. Patients treated surgically can expect a more rapid return to a pre-injury level of activity and a lower rate of re-rupture. However, surgery poses risks of complications such as infection or wound healing problems.