Can you tear achilles tendon

The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the human anatomy. It is found in the back of the leg, at the bottom half of the calf.

The Achilles consists of cords of fibrous tissue connecting the calf muscles to the back of the heel bone. This musculoskeletal structure allows you to walk, run, and move.

Common problems with the achilles tendon include tendonitis and tendon rupture. Tendonitis is related to chronic overuse, and can arise in athletes and non-athletes alike.

Tendonitis tends to occur gradually and progressively worsens over time, without any notable weakness. Tendonitis is commonly treated conservatively with physical therapy and home exercises.

Achilles tendon rupture is a very different problem, usually resulting from an acute injury. It often happens without contact or impact, and feels like being struck in the back of the heel with or without a loud pop. It is usually associated with pain, bruising, and weakness, but some patients don't notice any symptoms after the initial injury.

Achilles rupture is an urgent problem that needs acute treatment. There are cases when an Achilles tendon injury shows no signs or symptoms at all. After either treatment, you'll have physical therapy exercises to strengthen your leg muscles and Achilles tendon. Most people return to their former level of activity within four to six months.

It's important to continue strength and stability training after that because some problems can persist for up to a year. A type of rehabilitation known as functional rehabilitation also focuses on coordination of body parts and how you move. The purpose is to return you to your highest level of performance, as an athlete or in your everyday life. One review study concluded that if you have access to functional rehabilitation, you might do just as well with nonsurgical treatment as with surgery.

More study is needed. Rehabilitation after either surgical or nonsurgical management is also trending toward moving earlier and progressing faster. Studies are ongoing in this area also. People with an Achilles tendon rupture commonly seek immediate treatment at a hospital's emergency department. You might also need to consult with doctors specializing in sports medicine or orthopedic surgery. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. If you overstretch your Achilles tendon, it can tear rupture completely or just partially. If your Achilles tendon ruptures, you might hear a pop, followed by an immediate sharp pain in the back of your ankle and lower leg that is likely to affect your ability to walk properly. Surgery is often performed to repair the rupture. For many people, however, nonsurgical treatment works just as well.

Although it's possible to have no signs or symptoms with an Achilles tendon rupture, most people have:. Seek medical advice immediately if you hear a pop in your heel, especially if you can't walk properly afterward.

Your Achilles tendon helps you point your foot downward, rise on your toes and push off your foot as you walk. You rely on it virtually every time you walk and move your foot. This section might be prone to rupture because blood flow is poor, which also can impair its ability to heal.

Ruptures often are caused by a sudden increase in the stress on your Achilles tendon. Common examples include:. Your Achilles tendon connects the muscles in the back of your leg to your heel bone. The calf stretch exercise can help prevent an Achilles tendon rupture. The most common risk factors are:. Injury to the Achilles tendon causes pain along the back of your leg near the heel. Sometimes healthcare providers misdiagnose Achilles tendon injuries as sprained ankles.

Several common injuries can make your Achilles tendon painful or prevent it from working well. Your healthcare provider will consider the following when making a diagnosis:. Treatment depends on how badly injured your tendon is. It may include:. If these treatments don't work or if the injury is severe or complete, surgery may be considered.

The type of surgery depends on the location and amount of damage to the tendon. It can also depend on other things, such as the severity of the tendonitis. Some of the surgical procedures used include:. Other complications can happen because of the treatments used to care for an Achilles tendon injury. For instance:. Call your healthcare provider right away if you hear a pop sound and have sudden pain in the back of your leg or heel. Otherwise, schedule an appointment if pain or trouble moving affects your regular daily activities.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:. Skip to content. Achilles Tendon Injuries Not what you're looking for? Start New Search. What are Achilles tendon injuries? What causes Achilles tendon injuries? Achilles tendon injuries can be caused by the following: Tendonitis Tendonitis might be due to overuse or damage to the area. There are two main types of tendonitis: Noninsertional Achilles tendonitis.

Small tears in the middle fibers of your tendon start to break it down. This causes pain and swelling. This type of tendonitis usually affects active, younger adults.