What is an Achilles Rupture?

The achilles tendon is the connect of the gastrocnemius and soleus onto the calcaneus (heel bone). Its role is to point the foot downards and therefore allow you to walk, run and jump. When this tendon is snapped you will be unable to perform these movements. Often occurs with a sudden deceleration or acceleration movement such as stepping backwards very quickly. The patient will often report they heard a loud snap and thought they had been stepped on by someone else.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Achilles Rupture?

+ Loud popping/gun shot at the time of injury

+ Immediate pain

+ Unable to run, walking or jump

+ Unable to point foot downwards

+ Swelling of the tendon and foot

+ Positive Thompson test

What is the Treatment of an Achilles Rupture?

Non-operative management: Majority of cases can be managed non-operatively in a cam-boot for 8 weeks. The boot is managed with multiple wedges and the foot is slowly reduced in the amount of plantarflexion. This allows the tendon to re-attach and formal physiotherapy is begun at 8 weeks. The ankle is then strengthened and return to sport is possible at 6 months post injury.

Operative management: In some rare cases if the rupture is at a particular site of the tendon, then operative management is required. However, the rehabilitation is the same as non-operative management and there is no change in the length of return to sport or the risk of re-injury.