Achilles Tendon InjuriesThis is a featured page

Name of Injury
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Achilles tendon tear
  • Achilles tendon rupture
  • Bursitis of the Achilles tendon
  • Achilles tendonosis

-This video will help you correctly diagnose a Achilles tendon tear--->
Description of Injury
Achilles tendon bursitis is inflammation of the fluid-filled sac (bursa) located either between the skin of the heel and the Achilles tendon (posterior Achilles tendon bursitis) or in front of the attachment of the Achilles tendon to the heel bone (anterior Achilles tendon bursitis). Achilles Tendon BursitisAchilles tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon. It often results from a small stretch injury that causes the tendon to become swollen, painful, and less flexible than a normal tendon. Untreated, the injury may fail to heal, or progress to a chronically painful condition.
Achilles Tendonosis is a degeneration of the Achilles tendon. The degeneration occurs from small tears in the Achilles tendon, the tears have a difficult time healing due to poor blood circulation and chronic irritation. Of course, in some people, these tears may progress to a complete rupture of the tendon. [Untitled]
A ruptured (or torn) tendon occurs when the tendon has been structurally weakened by ongoing tendonitis, or when a completely healthy tendon is subjected to a sudden, unexpected force. As a result, the tendon tears. When the tendon tears, people often report hearing a pop at the back of the ankle. The person often thinks that he/she has been hit them in the back of the ankle. With the injury, pain, swelling, and loss of function occur. Since the calf muscle is no longer attached to the heel bone, people find it difficult to walk normally, and have difficulty doing activities that require any type of significant push off from their toes (such as running, jumping, doing toe raises). Left untreated, the tendon often fails to heal, resulting in permanent disability. [Untitled]
Skeletal Elements Involved
When the gastrocnemius muscle (in the calf) contracts (shortens), the tendon which is attached from the muscle to the heel bone (calcaneus) moves. As the muscle shortens, the tendon moves to point the foot downwards. This is the action that allows a person to stand on one's toes, to run, to jump, to walk normally, and to go up and down stairs.
  • calcanues or heel bone>point of insertion
Muscle Elements Involved
  • gastrocnemius>point of origin
Ligaments/Tendons/Other
  • Achilles tendon
  • The Achilles tendon is fibrous tissue that connects the heel to the muscles of the lower leg: the calf muscles.Leg muscles are the most powerful muscle group in the body and the Achilles tendon is the thickest and strongest tendon in the body. Contracting the calf muscles pulls the Achilles tendon, which pushes the foot downward. This contraction enables: standing on the toes, walking, running, and jumping. Each Achilles tendon is subject to a person’s entire body weight with each step. Depending upon speed, stride, terrain and additional weight being carried or pushed, each Achilles tendon may be subject to up to 3-12 times a person’s body weight during a sprint or push off.

Cause of Injury
Overuse
  • Too fast of an increase in athletic activities such as:
    • Running or walking longer;
    • Running or walking faster;
    • Running or walking up and down more or steeper hills or stairs;
    • More or more powerful “explosive” movements such as lunges, jumps, or push off’s.
  • The athletic activity by itself is not the problem, the problem is doing too much too quickly or resuming too quickly after break from activity.
  • Types of injuries caused:
    • Achilles tendonitis
    • Achilles tendon bursitis
    • Achilles tendon rupture
    •
Misalignment
  • Examples:
    • Unequal leg length
    • Over or under pronation
    • Short or tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles
    • Disproportionally weak calf muscles
    • Misshapen heel or other foot bones
    •
Improper Footwear
  • Examples:
    • Shoes or sports shoes with too much or too little:
      • Arch support
      • Cushioning
      • Motion control
      • Heel support
    • High heels
    • Worn out shoes or sports shoes
    •
Accidents
  • Examples:
    • Crushed in a car or work accident; or
    • Cut (lacerated) by a lawn mower or in a work accident.
  • Type of injuries caused:
    • Crushed Achilles tendon
    • Lacerated Achilles tendon.

Treatment
 The treatment options for a tear, tendonitis, or bursitis involve R.I.C.E. Treatment options for a complete rupture of the tendon include surgery followed by casting, or casting alone. There are advantages and disadvantages to each technique and the options should be discussed with your physician. With surgery, the tendon is either reattached to the calcaneal bone (if it has been pulled off) or the two ends are sewn together is the tendon has been torn in two. In most people, a cast is applied after surgery until healing is complete. Each patient must be considered individually. If the injury is treated non-operatively, then a cast is applied until healing is complete. The length of time required for healing is highly variable. Often it may take as long as six months for complete healing to occur.


(Sometimes surgery is necessary even for minimal damage.
This video demonstrates the surgical procedure.)
The best way to avoid an Achilles Tendon injury is to use proper prevention methods:
Here is a video which will help serve as a preventative tool.



Famous Sports Figures Afflicted
Achilles- Ancient Greek Trojan warrior

Josh Bard- San Diego Padre catcher
Achilles Tendon Injuries - The Anatomy Wiki
Vince Carter- New Jersey Nets
Achilles Tendon Injuries - The Anatomy Wiki
Donovan Bailey-100m gold medalist in Atlanta Olympics
Achilles Tendon Injuries - The Anatomy Wiki
Dan Marino- Miami Dolphins
Achilles Tendon Injuries - The Anatomy Wiki
Misty May-Treanor-USA Olympic Women's volleyball player


Vocabulary


-itis means inflamed (Bursitis= inflammation of the Bursa).

References & Links

-Merck. February 2003. Achilles Tendonitis. 8 April 2009. <http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec05/ch075/ch075e.html>
-Arthroscopy. 3 April 2003. Achilles Tendon Injuries. 8 April 2009. <http://www.arthroscopy.com/sp09009.htm>
-Everything About Achilles Tendons. June 2006. Achilles Tendon Injuries. 8 April 2009. <www.achillestendon.com/Injuries.html>
-Dr. Stephen M. Pribut's Sports Pages. January 2009. Achilles Tendonitis (Tendinopathy). 8 April 2009 <www.drpribut.com/sports/spachil.html>
-eMedicine Health. March 2009. Achilles Tendon Rupture. 8 April 2009.
<www.emedicinehealth.com/achilles_tendon_rupture/article_em.htm>


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