Are you an active adult who’s on your feet most of the day? Do you relax by playing sports in the evening? You may be at risk of developing a painful heel condition called plantar fasciitis.
The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body. But if you run, jump, or even spend a lot of time sitting, you can rupture, weaken, or damage the Achilles, causing pain and compromising your leg’s range of motion.
At Scheffel Foot Center, John A. Scheffel, DMD, has extensive experience treating Achilles tendon injuries and can help you prevent your Achilles tendon from rupturing. We’ve put together some information about this tendon and what you can do to prevent injury.
Your Achilles tendon is the fibrous cord that connects your heel bone to your calf muscle. It is the largest and arguably the most important tendon in your body. You use it each time you walk, stand on your toes, and point your foot downward.
When you overstretch your Achilles tendon, it can tear, which prevents you from walking normally. To repair the rupture, you need physical therapy and/or surgery.
Although sports are most commonly associated with Achilles tendon injuries, you can rupture your Achilles even if you’ve never run a marathon or kicked a soccer ball.
Here’s who is most at risk of rupturing their Achilles:
Some people show no signs or symptoms when their Achilles tendon ruptures. But most people display the following symptoms:
Prevention is always better than the cure. Here are tips on how to prevent your Achilles tendon from rupturing:
Before exercising, stretch your calf muscles until you feel a pull, but before you feel pain.
Don’t perform just one exercise, but alternate between high- and low-impact sports. If you’re at high risk for a rupture, avoid activities that stress the tendon, such as hill running and jumping.
Don’t run or exercise on slippery or hard surfaces, where you’re more likely to injure your Achilles. And wear well-cushioned athletic shoes appropriate for your sport.
Gradually build up pace, distance, and duration when conditioning for a sport. A sudden increase in effort is one of the most common reasons a tendon ruptures.
If you fear you’ve injured your Achilles tendon, call us at our nearest Scheffel Foot Center, or request an appointment using the online scheduler.
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