Professional athletes in sports that involve a lot of sprinting or jumping have a particularly high risk of Achilles tendon injuries. The Achilles runs from the base of the heel, up the back of the ankle, to the calf muscle. Although it is the largest and strongest tendon in the body, it is still susceptible to tears, microtears, strains, and a range of other painful conditions, just like any other tendon.
Athletes who experience a full Achilles rupture often describe a painful ‘pop’ sensation at the back of the ankle, just like double NBA champion Kevin Durant, who sustained an Achilles tear playing for the Golden State Warriors in June 2019. Durant was examined with MRI to confirm the extent of the damage and then underwent surgery to repair the tendon the following day. Read more about Durant’s injury here.
Below is an ultrasound image of an Achilles tendon. The arrow shows the gap between the two ends of the ruptured tendon; a sign of complete rupture.
Note: image is an example – not that of the athlete named above.
Complete Achilles ruptures are usually so obvious that they can be diagnosed with a simple physical examination. However, medical imaging is still used to confirm the diagnosis and assess the damage in detail. In cases where the rupture may not be complete, ultrasound or MRI are also used to evaluate the extent of the damage. Small details that can only be determined by a radiologist can make a huge difference to the choice of treatment method, as well as to an athlete’s recovery.
For more information about Achilles injuries, click here.