Learn more about this injury, its symptoms and how to treat it.
When it comes to being the largest and strongest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon always wins. The band of fibrous tissue is responsible for connecting the heel bone with the calf muscles, which means that it’s invaluable for all leg movements. How do you know when you’ve sustained an injury to your Achilles or, worse yet, an Achilles rupture? From the office of our Austin, TX, podiatrists Dr. Trinity Mereau and Dr. Steven Walters, here’s what you should know about an Achilles rupture,
What Is an Achilles Rupture?
An Achilles tear or rupture occurs when there is a partial or complete tear of the tendon, often due to overstretching the tissue. This is common in athletes who perform explosive jumping or movements, as well as runners. Simply falling or tripping can also result in an Achilles tendon rupture. While anyone can develop an Achilles rupture, this is more common in middle-aged individuals who don’t consider themselves athletes but may “go hard” on weekends with intense sports or long-distance runs.
- What are the signs and symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture?
- When a rupture occurs, a person is likely to experience,
- A sudden dull aching pain in the calf or back of the ankle
- A snapping or popping sound at the moment of injury or impact
- Sudden swelling of the heel and or calf
- Pain and difficulty walking, especially uphill
- Difficulty standing on your tip toes
I Think I Have an Achilles Rupture. Now What?
If you are dealing with any of the symptoms above after an injury, accident or fall, it’s essential that you seek immediate medical attention from our Austin, TX, team. We provide immediate and same-day care for individuals dealing with severe and urgent foot and ankle problems. Until you can make it into our office, the best way to manage pain and swelling is with the RICE method: rest, ice, compression and elevation. You may also benefit from an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory to temporarily ease pain and swelling.
How Is an Achilles Rupture Treated?
We will need to fully evaluate the rupture to determine which nonsurgical or surgical treatment options are necessary. Surgery may be the best option for repairing the rupture in more severe cases. In more minor ruptures, our team may recommend various nonsurgical options, including physical therapy to retrain and restrengthen the foot and ankle muscles. Surgery may reduce the risk of re-rupture, so you may want to talk with our team about whether surgery is the best approach for treating your rupture.
If you suspect an Achilles rupture, turn to our Austin, TX, foot and ankle specialists immediately for care. Call Capital Foot & Ankle at (512) 474-6666.