Achilles tendon rupture symptoms

There is a hard and thick tendon at the back of the heel called the Achilles tendon. People usually use the Achilles tendon in activities such as running and long jumping. Many people who exercise a lot are prone to Achilles tendon rupture. If the Achilles tendon is torn, people will feel severe pain in the heel area. If the tear is severe, it will affect people's walking. It is best to stay in bed for a period of time to recover from a torn Achilles tendon. So, what are the symptoms of Achilles tendon rupture?

There is a very thick, strong and tight tendon between the heel and the calf, which is the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is about 15 cm long and is the thickest tendon in the human body. It is formed by the fusion of the tendons of the triceps surae (soleus, internal and external heads of the gastrocnemius) about 15 cm above the heel. People's walking, running and jumping rely on this strong tendon. If the Achilles tendon[2] is completely torn, it will be difficult to walk.

Achilles tendon characteristics

The Achilles tendon is the largest and strongest tendon in the human body. The Achilles tendon is about 15 cm long and is formed by the fusion of the tendons of the triceps surae (soleus, internal and external heads of the gastrocnemius). During this process, the Achilles tendon fibers twist 90°. The main function of the Achilles tendon is to flex the calf and plantar flex the ankle joint. It is the most important anatomical structure for transmitting calf muscle power to the foot. People can stand upright, stand firm, run and jump, all thanks to it.

Symptoms and Signs

The Achilles tendon does not have a true tendon sheath, but is surrounded by peritendinous tissue (fatty interstitial tissue that separates the tendon and the tendon sheath). The early pain of Achilles tendinitis is mainly caused by damage to the tissues around the tendon. When the patient gets up or continues walking, the activity of the tendon in the peritendinous tissue increases, so the pain worsens. The pain may also be worse during training. There is tenderness when pressing the Achilles tendon with fingers. If the patient continues to run despite the pain, the inflammation will spread to the tendon, causing degeneration and fibrosis, resulting in persistent pain that is aggravated by activity.

Causes

When running downhill, because of the long landing distance and the long acceleration distance, the stress generated by the forefoot hitting the ground is much greater than when running on flat ground. When running uphill, the gastrocnemius must work harder to lift the heel because the heel is lower than the front half of the foot. A soft heel causes the heel to move excessively within the shoe, causing instability in the hind half of the foot. The instability of the Achilles tendon insertion causes unstable Achilles tendon tension and increases the possibility of Achilles tendon tear. If the sole is too rigid, the first metatarsophalangeal joint cannot bend, placing greater strain on the Achilles tendon. Biomechanical factors for Achilles tendinitis include excessive pronation, heel strike too far, genu varum (knocked legs), hamstring and gastrocnemius stiffness, Achilles tendon hypertonia, pes cavus, and heel varus deformity.