The Achilles Tendon is the largest tendon in the human body. It runs from the calf muscles to beneath the middle of the foot and controls the movement of both toes to point upwards and heels downwards.
The force that this powerful tendon experiences during physical activity can tear it. Perhaps surprisingly, tears are more common in sedentary individuals than extremely active ones. The lower the activity level, the higher the risk of Achilles tendon tear. Achilles tendon in Singapore injuries is common in runners and other athletes who place considerable stress on their heels. While these tears are often serious enough to require surgery to repair, they can also heal without surgery, provided there is no delay in diagnosis and treatment.
Most people who tear the tendon are middle-aged. But it can also occur in children, especially those who participate in activities that involve running or jumping with extreme ankle motion, such as gymnastics.
The largest tendon in the human body runs from the calf muscles to beneath the middle of the foot and controls the movement of both toes to point upwards and heels downwards. Tears of the Achilles tendon in Singapore are common in runners and other athletes who place considerable stress on their heels, but they can heal without surgery provided there is no delay in diagnosis and treatment.
This powerful tendon experiences force during physical activity and sometimes tears. Contrary to what might be expected, tears in the Achilles tendon are more common in sedentary individuals than extremely active ones.
Middle-aged people who tear the tendon are at higher risk and it can also occur in children, especially those who participate in activities that involve running or jumping with extreme ankle motion.
How Achilles tendon work-They work with the calf muscles to point your toes up and move your heel towards your hips.
Symptoms-The most common symptom is sudden, sharp pain at the back of the ankle or lower leg that can radiate down into the foot. Achilles tendon in Singapore tears usually causes a popping sound when they occur, just like if you were to tear a piece of paper.
Typically, the pain doesn’t feel better when you take the weight off the leg. The ankle may look swollen and stiff, and it is difficult to walk or put weight on the heel. People who play sports that involve moving rapidly or jumping often tear their Achilles tendon. Almost half of those who suffer a torn Achilles tendon will tear it a second time. Achilles tendon in Singapore tear: Pain, swelling, and bruising at the back of the ankle and lower leg Treatment: Resting the heel, icing it, taking over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Cortisone injections into the area also help with pain management. If the tear isn’t too bad and it’s not bothersome, you can wait several weeks or months before having surgery.
If your doctor does recommend surgery, there are different options:
- A nonsurgical approach involves wearing a cast and avoiding weight-bearing activities while waiting for new tissue to grow. This method is best if the tendon isn’t completely torn.
- An arthroscopic surgery is the most common type of surgery for this condition. It involves making small incisions in the skin, allowing your surgeon to insert a tiny camera and surgical instruments through the incision. This allows your surgeon to assess the damage done to your tendon while repairing it with special stitches or reinforcing it by using a small piece of tendon taken from another part of your leg.
- For severe tears, open surgery is required and this will require an incision on the back of the lower leg.