Achilles tendon rupture

Achilles tendon rupture is a complete tear of the Achilles tendon – a thick tendon that attaches the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) to the back of the heel bone (calcaneus) - that is often spontaneous. 

A sudden loud snapping sound is heard at the back of the heel accompanied with intense pain when doing an activity that the tendon should hold, such as walking.

Immediately after an Achilles tendon rupture, the majority of individuals will have difficulty walking, develop a limp and will not be able to run, climb up the stairs, or stand on their toes. Bruising and swelling around the calf and ankle usually occur.

Around two-thirds of cases occur during sports activities, with professional white-collar workers over represented in the statistics, and a third occurring during every day activities such as stepping down off a street curb. This indicates a sedentary lifestyle is an important risk factor. In around two thirds of case no prior symptoms, such as tenderness, stiffness, discomfort, pain or swelling, are experienced.

A study that examined hundreds of ruptured tendons after the injury, found that almost all had long standing degenerative changes (Achilles tendinosis), which weakened the structure of the tendon to the point of complete failure.

In general, surgical reattachment of the ruptured tendon is recommended. For partial tears, nonsurgical treatment is recommended. Post-surgical osteopathic rehabilitation is recommended, especially to prevent recurrence.