The rupture of the Achilles tendon can happen to anyone, but it especially affects men who practice physical activity, between 20 and 40 years of age, due to occasional sports. The activities where this happens most are football, handball, gymnastics, athletics, volleyball, cycling, basketball, tennis or any activity that needs to be skipped.
The Achilles tendon, or calcaneal tendon, is a structure that is about 15 cm long, which connects the calf muscles to the bottom of the heel. When this tendon is ruptured, the symptoms can be immediately noticed.
The rupture can be total or partial, varying from 3 to 6 cm. In the case of partial ruptures, there is no need for surgery, but physiotherapy is essential. In cases of total rupture, surgery is necessary, followed by a few weeks of physical therapy for complete recovery.
Main signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of rupture of the calcaneus tendon are usually:
- Pain in the calf with intense difficulty in walking; When palpating the tendon it may be possible to observe its discontinuity; Usually the person reports that he heard a click when the tendon ruptured; Often the person thinks that someone or something hit his leg.
If an Achilles tendon rupture is suspected, the doctor or physiotherapist can perform a test that can show that the tendon has been broken. For the test, the person should lie on his stomach with one knee bent. The physiotherapist will press the 'leg potato' muscle and if the tendon is intact, the foot should move, but if it is broken, there should be no movement. It is important to do this test with both legs in order to compare the results, if it is not possible to identify the rupture, you can request an ultrasound examination.
If it is not a tendon rupture, it may be another alteration, such as muscle strain, for example.
Causes of Achilles tendon rupture
The most common causes of Achilles tendon rupture are:
- Excessive training; Return to intensive training after a period of rest; Running uphill or mountains; Wearing high heels daily may favor; Activities with heels.
People who do not practice physical activity may have a break when starting a fast run, to take the bus, for example.
How the treatment is done
Usually the treatment is done with immobilization of the foot, being the option of choice for people who are not athletes, but for these the doctor can indicate the surgery to unite the fibers of the tendon.
Immobilization can last for about 12 weeks and also happens after surgery. Both in one case, as in the other, physiotherapy is indicated for the person to put the body weight back on the foot and then walk normally again, returning to their activities and training. Athletes usually recover faster in about 6 months of treatment since the break, but those who are not athletes may take longer. Find out more details about the treatment for Achilles tendon rupture.
