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Achilles T endon Rupture

Achilles T endon Rupture. By: Anthony Carragher. What is the Achilles tendon?. The Achilles tendon is a large ropelike band of fibrous tissue in the back of the ankle that connects the calf muscles to the calcaneus . The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body.

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Achilles T endon Rupture

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  1. Achilles Tendon Rupture By: Anthony Carragher

  2. What is the Achilles tendon? • The Achilles tendon is a large ropelike band of fibrous tissue in the back of the ankle that connects the calf muscles to the calcaneus. • The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. • It is needed to do easy activities as walking, running, and jumping. • A complete tear through the tendon, which occurs about 2 inches above the heel, is called an Achilles tendon rupture.

  3. Causes of the rupture • This injury often occurs during sports that require jumping, pivoting, and running. • You make a forceful push-off with your foot while your knee is straightened by the thigh muscles. For example, starting a foot race or jumping. • You suddenly trip, and your foot steps in front to stop you from falling which makes you overstretch the tendon.

  4. What are the symptoms? • One symptom maybe a sudden pain in the back of the ankle or sometimes even the calf. • When the rupture first happens, sometimes a loud pop or snap is heard • After the first couple days of pain, it will swell and become stiff, soon bruising and weakness will follow. • Pushing off the foot when walking would be impossible to do.

  5. Special tests-MRI or ultrasound • Sometimes MRI and ultrasound can be used to help with the diagnosis. • These can determine what treatment would be best. • Sometimes it can be misdiagnosed as a small tendon injury, so a MRI is the best way to be completely sure.

  6. Special Tests-Thompson’s test • This is used by a doctor to see if there is a complete rupture of the tendon. • The doctor would lay you on your stomach and squeeze the calf and the foot will point out. • Below is a video of the test. • Thompson's Test

  7. Treatment • P.R.I.C.E • Sometimes surgery is required, sometimes it isn‘t. • No matter which one you pick, it will be up to 6 weeks in a cast, or a special brace. • Every 2 to 4 weeks, a new brace will be needed to stretch the tendon back to normal length.

  8. Surgery-Pros and Cons • If your option is to get the surgery, it will put you out of action for at least 6 weeks or more. • The operation requires the surgeon to sew the two ends of the tendon together. • If you decide to get the surgery, it makes the recovery time less, and allows higher level of functioning • The risks of the surgery are infection, and sometimes accidental nerve damage.

  9. How do I stop this from happening? • A great way to prevent this is stretching the Achilles and pre-activity warm-up. • Conditioning of the muscle can also help the tendon to rupture • Lastly, take it easy, meaning work your way up to a level of activity that you can manage.

  10. References • http://www.achillestendon.com/ • http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/85024-overview • http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/leg_injuries/a/leg5.htm • http://www.emedicinehealth.com/achilles_tendon_rupture/article_em.htm

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