Imagine you are playing cricket or badminton with your friends. Suddenly, as you try to run, you hear a 'tuck' sound from behind, just above the heel of your leg, as if someone hit you with a stone. When you look back, there is no one, but at the same time there is a sharp pain. Most of the time, this experience is the condition we are talking about today, 'Achilles Tendon Rupture'. This is not as simple as it seems, so let's understand this properly.
What is this Achilles Tendon?
Simply put, this is a strong tendon that connects the calf muscle of our leg to the heel bone. In fact, it is the largest and strongest tendon in our body. This tendon helps provide the strength our leg needs when we walk, run, and jump.
'Achilles Tendon Rupture' is a complete or partial rupture, or tearing, of this strong tendon. This is an acute injury that occurs suddenly. It occurs when the tendon is subjected to excessive pressure.
Who is more likely to develop this? What are the causes?
This is most often seen among athletes, especially those between the ages of 30 and 40, and men are at higher risk than women.
Imagine that there are some people who work in the office all five days a week, and only on the weekends they go out and play cricket or some other sport. We also call these people "weekend warriors". Because they put a lot of strain on their body all at once without proper training, such people are more at risk of rupture of their Achilles tendon than a well-trained young athlete.
The main reasons are things like this:
- Sudden actions: This risk can occur when playing sports that involve sudden running, stopping, and changing sides (for example, football, basketball, tennis, cricket).
- Other accidents: This isn't always a sports accident. You could also tear this vein if you slip and fall while walking, miss a step while going down a flight of stairs, or twist your leg in a ditch.
- Certain medications: Some antibiotics and steroid injections into the area can weaken this vein and increase the risk of rupture.
What exactly are the symptoms of this?
The main and most obvious symptom of this condition is hearing and feeling a 'tuck' or 'pop' sound coming from the back of the leg, above the heel. Many people think that someone has hit them from behind, but what it really feels like is a ruptured nerve.
The table below shows some other characteristics that can help identify this.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Sudden, severe pain | A sharp, unbearable pain in the groin area, above the heel. |
| Swelling and blue/purple discoloration | The area of the injury may be swollen, possibly bleeding under the skin and turning blue. |
| Difficulty walking | You may not be able to walk normally. The pain is especially severe when climbing stairs or hills. |
| Pain when touched | If you touch the broken vein with your finger, it hurts badly. |
How does a doctor find this?
When you go to see a doctor, he will first carefully examine your foot and ankle.
- See if you can turn your legs in different directions.
- The area is manually examined to see if there is a gap where the vein has been cut.
- An ultrasound or MRI scan may also be recommended to see exactly how much damage has been done to the vein.
The most important thing is that leaving an accident like this untreated can cause a lot of damage. If left untreated, the vein will not heal properly. Therefore, the risk of the same vein rupturing again in the future is much higher.
What are the treatments for this?
Before you go to the doctor, there's something you can do at home to reduce pain and swelling. We call it the RICE method.
- R - Rest: Do not put any weight on the injured leg. Rest.
- I - Ice: Apply an ice pack to the area of pain and swelling.
- C - Compression: Apply a bandage to the area to control swelling.
- E - Elevation: Whenever possible, keep your leg elevated above the level of your heart, like a pillow.
There are two main types of medical treatment. Your doctor will decide on the type of treatment based on your age, activity level, and the nature of the injury.
| Treatment method | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Non-surgical treatments | A special cast or brace is placed on the leg to keep it immobile. This allows the vein to heal on its own. This is done with the leg bent downwards. |
| Surgery | This is especially recommended for active, young people. A surgeon sews the two ends of the torn vein back together. After the surgery, you will need to wear a cast until it heals. |
| Physical Therapy | This is a must. Whether you have surgery or not, after the vein heals, you should exercise under the guidance of a physical therapist to regain strength and flexibility in your leg and vein. |
It usually takes about 4 to 6 months for this injury to fully heal.
Can an accident like this be prevented?
Although accidents cannot be prevented 100% of the time, there are things we can do to reduce the risk:
- Warm up well before exercising or playing.
- Don't suddenly increase the intensity of your workouts. Increase them gradually.
- Regularly engage in stretching exercises for the hamstring muscles and Achilles tendon.
When should you definitely see a doctor?
If something like this happens to you, don't delay.
- If you hear a 'clicking' sound from the back of your leg while playing a sport or other activity.
- If there is sudden, sharp pain at the same time.
- If it is difficult to walk after the accident.
If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. If necessary, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Take-Home Message
- Achilles Tendon Rupture is not something as simple as a sprained leg, it is a serious condition.
- The main symptoms are a popping sound and sudden pain in the back of the leg.
- If something like this happens, it is imperative to seek medical advice immediately. Don't delay.
- Whether surgery is performed or not, physical therapy is essential for complete recovery.
- This risk can be reduced by warming up well before playing sports and doing proper exercises.
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