Summary | Torn Achilles tendon

Summary

The Achilles tendon rupture (Achilles tendon rupture) is usually a sudden severing of the Achilles tendon. Only rarely does the Achilles tendon rupture occur with advance notice, for example through Achilles tendon pain or irritation. Consequently, people who are active in sports are more often affected by a rupture of the Achilles tendon than average.

An accumulation is found in sporty active men between the ages of 30 and 50 years. The rupture of the Achilles tendon is usually not to be overheard. Patients speak of a loud bang or a whiplash, usually associated with stabbing pain.

Since the Achilles tendon is indispensable for normal human gait, it must be ensured that the patient is treated professionally as soon as possible. In principle, with regard to therapeutic measures, a distinction is made between surgical therapy and conservative therapy, whereby both forms of therapy have their justification. Nevertheless, it can be said that younger patients are in principle more likely to benefit from surgical therapy, since the probability of stress (sport and work) is significantly increased in younger patients.

In older patients, on the other hand, conservative therapy predominates for Achilles tendon rupture. Studies have also shown that Anglo-American countries tend to use conservative therapy measures. In the context of surgical therapy, a distinction is made between various forms of surgery, which will be discussed in more detail in the therapy (see above).

Which measure is taken depends, among other things, on the age of the rupture or the type and nature of the tear. In both forms of therapy a duration of about 12 to 16 weeks must be estimated. The duration of immobilization is about 6 weeks.

Immobilization is carried out in the first 4 weeks in the pointed foot position, whereby the degree of the pointed foot position varies. As a rule, the pointed foot position is 30 to 40° in the first two weeks and is then reduced to 10 to 20° in the third to fourth week. At the end of the immobilization, the lower leg walking cast is then made in a plantigran (= 0°) foot position.

The load possibilities increase successively in this three-stage immobilization. This will be discussed in detail during the therapy (see below). In particular after intensive rehabilitation measures, one can assume that the patient will almost completely regain his or her accustomed performance capacity. Across Germany, approximately 16,000 Achilles tendon tears and tears occur annually.