achilles tendon rupture

[tman]

I was making a comeback to squash after a couple of years off when I raptured my achilles on the court last week. It has torn at the worst possible place, right at the top where it connects to the calf muscle. After examining the ultrasound my doctor said that unfortunately they can't connect it surgically because the muscle is shredded where the tendon should connect. I am in a half cast this week and will be put into a fibreglass cast next week for another 6 weeks. Has anyone had this same experience? For the next 6-8 weeks I can't drive and feel like a vegetable. Can anyone offer any insight on what is ahead.

[catlover]

Firstly it is important to determine whether you have a tear of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at the musculotendinous junction or an achilles tendon rupture.
The muscle tear can be treated without surgery- physiotherapy is usually best.
An achilles tendon rupture can always be repaired surgically & best treated this way. Ultrasound can be misleading & these conditions can be distinguished by examination.
If your doctor is unsure, referral to a sports physician or orthopaedic surgeon would be worthwhile.

[andy6]

Hi
Just read your message and I have what appears to be the same as you. I was playing football and just getting back into some sort of fitness regime when the injury occurred.
It was pretty obvious that I had done something bad and it did feel like I snapped my Achilles. Got to casualty and they put me straight into a plaster and home I went, next day it all sunk in and I got worried about if I had the right treatment and if I would be able to play sport again. After a week I had ultra sound and was diagnosed as have a tear/rupture where the tendon joins the calf muscle and it was advised that I should have conservative (Plaster) treatment as surgery would have too many complications. Its now almost three weeks and I have another appointment on Monday when there are they going to move my foot into a new angle for the start of a slow recovery.

It looks like I am in a very similar situation to yourself 3 months ago and would really appreciate any advice and news on your recovery?

Many thanks
A