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Achilles tendon rupture

Ruptura tendinis Achillis · Přetržení Achillovy šlachy

What it is

A complete tear of the heel tendon, often in 30–50-year-olds pushing off in racket sports or football; fluoroquinolone antibiotics and steroid injections raise the risk.

Symptoms & signs

  • A snap, like being kicked in the back of the leg
  • cannot rise on tiptoe
  • gap above the heel
  • swelling, weak push-off

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Calf swelling with sudden breathlessness or chest pain
  • see a doctor soon Sudden snap or kick-like pain at the back of the heel
  • see a doctor soon Cannot stand on tiptoe on that leg
  • see a doctor soon Gap you can feel above the heel

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Thompson test (squeeze the calf — foot does not move)
  • Functional brace with early weight bearing — as good as surgery in trials, slightly more re-ruptures trials support
  • surgery — fewer re-ruptures, more wound problems
  • rehabilitation for 6–12 months

Natural & lifestyle

  • Gradual training increases
  • calf strengthening
  • care with fluoroquinolones in over-60s

Emerging & experimental

  • Platelet-rich plasma — no benefit in a large trial (PATH-2)

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Platelet-rich plasma — no benefit in a large trial not confirmed in trials
  • Collagen supplements — no rupture trials anecdotal / traditional
  • Shockwave therapy — for tendinopathy, not rupture mixed evidence

ICD codes