The dreaded pop in the back of your lower leg. An Achilles rupture is a difficult and long recovery. This will be a short guide to determine if you have an Achilles tendon tear.
How To Determine If There Is An Achilles Rupture
- MRI will confirm the tendon is torn and where (source)
- The Thompson test. This test is almost as reliable as an MRI and can be done by anyone without needing to see a doctor. In the presence of a positive Thompson test, an MRI is done as a confirmation as opposed to a diagnostic
If this test is negative, you did not tear your Achilles. You likely suffer from tendonitis or a strain to the tendon. Either way, this post will help address that issue.
How Is The Achilles Torn?
- An Achilles rupture occurs when the tissue is loaded well beyond its capacity when in a lengthened position.
- This is most common during a forceful jump, a sudden pivot or sudden acceleration.
- An Achilles tendon tear is often reported as a feeling of being kicked in the back of the leg or hearing a sound like a gun going off.
- An Achilles tear is most common in men over the age of 30, particularly weekend warriors
- The Achilles tendon has an avascular (low blood supply) zone in the middle 2-3 inches. Most tears occur here
You now have the tools to assess whether you tore your Achilles well before you arrive at a doctor’s office.
If you want to rehab your Achilles tendon, follow this guide here. This is an ankle sprain rehab but the concepts do not change at all. Given the Achilles works at the ankle joint, you rehab an Achilles and an ankle in the same manner.