This blog is to be sung to the tune of Pop goes the weasel.
All around the basketball court. The Jeffrey chased the basketball. The Jeffreythought 'twas all in fun. Pop! goes his Achilles tendon.
Definition
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Achilles (uh-KIL-eez) tendon rupture is an injury that affects the back of your lower leg. It most commonly occurs in people playing recreational sports.
The Achilles tendon is a strong fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of your calf to your heel bone. If you overstretch your Achilles tendon, it can tear (rupture). An Achilles tendon rupture can be partial or complete.
If you have an Achilles tendon rupture, you might feel a pop or snap, followed by an immediate sharp pain in the back of your ankle and lower leg that makes it impossible to walk properly. It almost feels like you've been kicked, or even shot. CHECK!
Surgery is often the best treatment option to repair an Achilles tendon rupture.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of an Achilles tendon rupture include:
- Pain, possibly severe, and swelling near your heel check, Check, CHECK!
- An inability to bend your foot downward or "push off" the injured leg when you walk Check
- An inability to stand up on your toes on the injured leg Check
- Often people report hearing a popping or snapping sound when the injury occurs. With a partial rupture, you may still be able to move your foot, and you may experience less severe pain and swelling. , CHECK!
When to see your doctor
Seek medical advice immediately if you feel a pop or snap in your heel, especially if you can't walk properly afterward. An Achilles tendon rupture requires prompt treatment. Check
Causes
Your Achilles tendon helps you point your foot downward, rise on your toes and push off your foot as you walk. You rely on it virtually every time you move your foot.
In most cases, ruptures of the Achilles tendon occur at a spot on the tendon that receives less blood flow. This may weaken that section of the tendon, which also tends to degenerate with age.
Ruptures often are caused by a sudden increase in the amount of stress on your Achilles tendon. Common examples include:
- Occasional or increased participation in recreational sports Wouldn't you know I just started playing basket ball on Thursdays at the church.
- Falling from a height
- Stepping into a hole
Risk factors
Factors than may increase your risk of Achilles tendon rupture include:
- Age. The peak age for Achilles tendon rupture is 30 to 40. Check
- Sex. Achilles tendon rupture is up to five times more likely to occur in men than in women. Check
- Obesity. Extra pounds may increase the stress placed on your Achilles tendon. I'm no longer technically obese. Still over weight though.
Recreational sports
Achilles tendon injuries occur more often in sports that involve running, jumping and sudden starts and stops. Examples include:
- Running
- Soccer
- Basketball Check
- Tennis
- Softball
- Hockey
Treatments and drugs
Surgery
Surgery is a common treatment for a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon. The procedure generally involves making an incision in the back of your lower leg and stitching the torn tendon together. Depending on the condition of the torn tissue, the repair may be reinforced with other tendons. Afterward, you'll need to spend about six to eight weeks with your leg in a walking boot, cast, brace or splint. This will happen sometime this week.
The Dr. said that I have a four finger gap in my tendon. Surgery scheduled for tomorrow. Yippee!
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/achilles-tendon-rupture/DS00160
4 comments:
Bummer - that sure sounds painful! Good luck with the surgery and recovery :)
Ouch Ouch Ouch Ouch Ouch!!!! My dance teacher at college would tell us horror stories of it happening in her class! And that the pop is so loud that it is no mistaking what has happened! I am so sorry! I hope the surgery and recovery goes well!
Ouch! That stinks! Good luck with surgery and with getting better.
That was actually a really funny post. I was laughing out loud and Sam came up and asked me what I was laughing at. I didn't know what to say. "Uncle Jeff hurt his leg?" Doesn't sound like something a mom should laugh at.
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