Definition:

Symptoms:

• Immediate, severe pain in the calf
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Hearing a snapping or popping noise during the injury
• Difficulty flexing your foot or pointing your toes

Causes:

• Explosive acceleration (running, jumping)
• Direct trauma to Achilles tendon
• Sudden activation of the Achilles after atrophy from prolonged periods of inactivity
• Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin)

Treatment:

• Period of immobilization
• Possible surgical intervention
• Progress to ROM and stretching
• Foot intrinsic muscle strengthening
• Lower extremity strengthening