Rupture of the Achilles tendon is becoming increasingly common, and usually occurs in the 3rd to 5th decade of life during “explosive” sport such as squash, badminton or tennis.

Typically a “pop”, “snap” or “tear” is felt behind the ankle, followed by bruising, swelling, pain and loss of function. Sometimes an Achilles rupture can be mistaken for a severe ankle sprain, because of the obvious similarities.

The difference is that whereas an ankle sprain will usually heal well without any intervention, an Achilles rupture left untreated will usually result in a weak foot and a limp. It is therefore very important that you seek immediate advice from a specialist, if you suspect you have ruptured your Achilles.

If seen at an early stage (within a few days), there are two options for treating a rupture – immobilisation in a cast / boot or surgical repair. There are pros and cons of each form of treatment, and so treatment is tailored to the individual. Non-operative treatment usually involves immobilisation and monitoring over a 10 – 12 week period, followed by physiotherapy. Repair can be performed either open or “percutaneously” (minimally-invasive), followed by a period of immobilisation and rehabilitation. The results of early treatment are usually very good.

If the rupture is discovered 3 or more weeks after the injury, a more involved procedure, known as an Achilles reconstruction may be necessary, and even after surgery, perfect function is rarely achieved.