Torn achilles tendon

During sports, significant forces act on muscles, bones and tendons. One of the most important tendons involved is the Achilles tendon, which connects the lower leg to the heel. This tendon allows you to push off the ground and enables movements such as running, walking, climbing stairs and jumping. Because of these high loads, the tendon must endure a lot. When you suffer from an Achilles tendon rupture, it means there is a tear in the tendon. This can be a partial tear, but in some cases the tendon can also be completely ruptured.

What is a torn Achilles tendon?

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the foot. It enables downward movement of the foot (plantar flexion) by contracting the calf muscles. When the calf contracts, the tendon is placed under tension. If this tension becomes too great, or occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, the Achilles tendon can tear — also known as an Achilles tendon rupture. The severity of the rupture can vary from a small partial tear to a complete separation of the tendon.