Tendon laceration (Achilles tendon rupture)

Feet | Orthopaedics | Tendon laceration (Achilles tendon rupture) (Disease)


Description

The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Achilles tendon can tear partially or completely. While a partial rupture can be completely asymptomatic or cause mild symptoms, a complete rupture causes a sudden intense pain and loss of leg strength and mobility.

The rupture can cause symptoms such as: sharp pain, felt sharp as a direct blow to the tendon, may occur when a click occurs rupture, whether or not the swelling and bruising (bruise); heel pain (may be severe); unable to set foot in the ground, to stand or to walk comfortably. In case of partial tendon rupture strength and mobility is likely to be close to normal limb, and pain was less intense compared to that of total rupture of the Achilles tendon. Tendon may break fully or partially. In this situation is lower limb mobility, and walking difficult. A fissure is usually about 3. 8 cm to 6. 4 cm above the insertion of the heel. Some experts believe that cracks occur with predilection in this area because of a limited blood flow.

Causes and Risk factors

The rupture of the Achilles tendon is due to: sudden movements that can overwhelm strong calf muscles, as happens during intense athletic activities or during running or jumping, especially in middle-aged men; excessive stretching of the tendon during activities when it is already damaged by tendinopathy or other conditions; tendinopathy, which can weaken the tendon progressively increases the risk of rupture, the tendon can cause repeated stress, rupture; corticosteroid injections (have been used in the past as treatment for tendon injuries): corticosteroids can weaken or break the Achilles tissue tendon.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Tendon rupture can be treated by: surgery, followed by a rehabilitation program for total recovery of tendon function; use of splints, plaster boots or other device that keeps the lower leg immobilized, this method leads to healing tendon, but it may maintain a certain fragility, so that a new rupture can occur at any time.

Physiotherapy or other rehabilitation program restores flexibility and leg strength. ...