Tendons are the strong fibrous tissues that acts as attachment between muscles and bones. They help in locomotion by transferring force applied by muscles to bones and thus causing movements across the joints. Strong tendons can carry weight up to 5times of bodyweight.
Tendon rupture: acute tendon ruptures are injuries of necessity. Immediate management affects the long-term outcome and functional status of the foot. Injury could be at the level of lower leg, ankle or foot. It could either be laceration or rupture and injury could be severe than it looks. There could be associated soft tissue, vessel or bony injury that also needs to be addressed.
- Symptoms: sudden popping sound, pain at the site of injury, difficulty in walking, open wound in case of cut injuries and laceration. Inability to move the limb distal to injury. For example, if injury is at the level of ankle then there may be difficulty or inability to move toes or foot.
- What could be the cause? Injury is the most common cause. Some co-morbidities may make you prone for easy rupture of tendon like diabetes, Gout, thyroid disorders, previous injections of steroids in the tendon.
- What to do? Check yourself for any other injuries. If any wound or bleeding then apply tight compression and seek medical attention.
- Treatment options: treatment depends on the kind of injury, level of injury. Both surgical and non-surgical treatments are available. Ask your foot and ankle surgeon for the best treatment option for you.