A rupture of the Achilles tendon is not an uncommon problem in sports activity and could be very dramatic if it occurs, since the calf muscles and the connected Achilles tendon play such an necessary function. It is more likely to occur in explosive activities like tennis. The real issue is that the achilles tendon and the two muscles connected to it cross two joints (the knee as well as the ankle) and when both joints are moving in contrary directions simultaneously, particularly if abruptly (as can happen in tennis), then the likelihood of something going wrong is pretty high.
The treating of an achilles tendon rupture is a little debatable with there being two alternatives that the majority the research shows have got very similar outcomes. One option is conservative and the other is surgical. The conservative choice is usually putting the leg in cast that holds the foot pointing downwards a little. Usually it takes as much as six weeks to heel up and after the cast is removed, there ought to be a slow and gentle resumption of exercise. Physical therapy is usually used to assist with this. The operative choice is to surgically stitch the two edges of the tendon back together, this is followed by a period of time in a cast that is shorter than the conservative choice, and is followed by a similar steady and slow return to sport. When longer term results are evaluated the final outcome is generally about the same, however the operative method has the added potential for surgical or anaesthetic complications that the conservative strategy does not have. The decision as to which method is best for an Achilles tendon rupture will have to be one dependent on the experiences of the doctor and the preferences of the person with the rupture. There is a trend for competitive athletes to go on the operative option because it is considered that this may give a improved short term outcome and get the athlete back to the sports field quicker.