What is an Achilles’ tendon tear/tendonitis?

Achilles’ tendon is the tendon that attaches the muscle of your calf to your heel bone. When the muscles contract the tendon pulls on the heel bone which pushes your foot down, causing you to come up on your toes. An Achilles’ tear can be partial or complete. A complete tear is when all of the tendon fibers are torn free, resulting in no connection between muscle and bone. Usually a violent contraction of the calf muscle such as a sudden sprint or attempt to jump high, can cause the tendon to rupture.

What are the symptoms?

The injured person usually reports pain and a sense that they were kicked in the heel from behind. The injury results in weakness and an inability to push off with your foot or stand on your toes.

What is the treatment?

Early treatment- PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression, elevation). For partial tears placing the patient in a cast followed by PT is the treatment of choice. For complete tears surgical repair is a must in order to regain full strength.