Achilles Tendon Rupture

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Your Achilles tendon has ruptured if it gets a tear in it. A tendon is body tissue that connects your muscles to your bones. Your Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle in your lower leg to your heel bone. It acts like a spring by taking the force (pressure) from your body when it moves. It also allows you to push your foot toward the ground, such as when walking, running, or jumping. Medical conditions that affect your joints, bones, and muscles may increase your risk of having a rupture. Other risks include taking certain antibiotic (germ fighting) or steroid medicine. You may have taken steroids to help your muscles grow or to decrease inflammation (redness and swelling).
  
  
• Your Achilles tendon will rupture if there is too much pressure put on it. This may happen during sports or if you fall down stairs, get kicked, or weigh a lot. You may feel a sudden pop that is followed by sharp pain on the back of your leg. You may find it hard to walk, go up and down stairs, or put weight on your leg. Your caregiver will look at your legs and ask you questions about your symptoms. Your caregiver may tell you that you need surgery, cast, or brace to fix your Achilles tendon. Having your Achilles tendon treated will help decrease your pain and help you to walk normally again. You may be able to return to work sooner and more easily complete your normal daily activities.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

• Blood thinners: This medicine helps stop clots from forming in your blood. Blood thinners may be given before, during, and after a surgery or procedure. Blood thinners make it easier for you to bleed or bruise. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Use a soft toothbrush to help keep your gums from bleeding.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be given regularly, or may only be given if you ask caregivers for it. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Ask your caregiver for help getting out of bed if you feel tired or dizzy.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Your caregiver will check your foot, ankle, and leg. Tell your caregiver about your symptoms. Your caregiver may change the position of your foot and your cast during each visit. Your caregiver will tell you how often he wants you to have your cast changed.

Activity: Your caregiver will tell you when it is OK to walk and put weight on your leg. He will also tell you when it is OK to play sports again. You may not be able to play sports for 6 months or longer. Ask your caregiver when you can go back to work or school. Do not drive until your caregiver says it is OK.

Physical therapy: Your caregiver may want you to go to physical therapy. A physical therapist will help you with special exercises. These exercises help make your Achilles tendon and leg muscles stronger. Your caregiver may do range of motion exercises to help you move your leg in different directions. He will help you stretch your muscles. He may also help you walk the way you did before your injury.

Crutches: You may need to use crutches if you have a cast. Crutches may keep you from putting weight on your ankle and foot. Crutches may help your Achilles tendon heal and may decrease your chances of having another rupture. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to choose and use crutches.

Stair climbing: Ask your caregiver about stair climbing after surgery. Do not walk up or down stairs on your tiptoes. Instead, put your weight on your entire foot.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (high body temperature).
  
  
• You have an ache or pain in your leg not relieved by pain medicine.
  
  
• You have swelling or redness in your ankle or heel area.
  
  
• The muscles in your legs become weak.
  
  
• You have numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in your leg.
  
  
• One of your legs has swollen larger than the other.
  
  
• The skin on any part of your legs or hips turns purplish in color.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You feel a sudden pop, snap, or crack at the back of your leg or heel.
  
  
• You feel a sudden pain your injured leg or your other leg.
  
  
• You cannot move your leg or foot.
  
  
• You feel like you may have broken a bone.
  
  
• You have convulsions (seizures) or migraines (very bad headaches).
  
  
• You have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have chest pain.
  
  
• You have signs and symptoms of a stroke: You have one or more of these signs and symptoms of a stroke. These signs and symptoms may happen suddenly:
  
  
  • A very bad headache. This may feel like the worst headache of your life.
    
    
  • Too dizzy to stand.
    
    
  • Weakness or numbness in your arm, leg, or face. This may happen on only one side of your body.
    
    
  • Confusion and problems speaking or understanding things.
    
    
  • Not able to see out of one or both of your eyes.
    
    
  • This is an emergency. Call 911 or 0 (operator) for an ambulance to get to the nearest hospital. Do not drive yourself!

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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