Achilles Tendon Disorders

Who does this affect? This is the heel cord. It is a crucial tendon at the back of the ankle that allows the patient to "toe-off" when walking or running. The blood supply comes from above and below and so the portion in the middle becomes vulnerable, as you get older.

Symptoms  It can become inflamed (tendonitis) or even rupture during activity, especially sports involving rapid acceleration such as tennis or squash.

Investigations A careful examination is essential. Scans are sometimes used to help plan surgery.

Non-surgical Treatment Treatment Initially, physiotherapy and orthotics (insoles) are used for tendonitis. Specialised splints are used to treat ruptures and this avoids an operation, but recovery is slower than with surgery, and the re-rupture rates are slightly higher.

Surgical Treatment In some patients, early surgical repair of ruptured Achilles tendon with functional aftercare has the lowest rates of re-rupture. Surgery can also be used for chronic tendonitis.