Medical expert of the article
New publications
Injury of calcaneal tendon
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Damage to the calcaneus tendon includes inflammation of loose tissue surrounding the tendon, partial or complete ruptures.
The calf muscle is attached to the calcaneus via the calcaneal tendon. During the run, the calf helps lift the feet off the ground. Repeated force on the tendon during running together with inadequate recovery time can first cause inflammation of the tissue surrounding the tendon (the fat layer separating the heel tendon and its membrane). A complete rupture of the calcaneal tendon is a serious injury and usually occurs as a result of sudden strong stress.
Symptoms of an injury of the calcaneal tendon
The first symptom of the inflammation of the calcaneal tendon is pain in the back of the heel, which increases in the first minutes of exercise and then often decreases with the continuation of the exercise. A full rupture causes severe severe pain and prevents the ability to move normally after an injury.
During the examination, the inflamed heel tendon is painful when it is squeezed between the toes. With a complete rupture, the defect is palpable along the tendon and compression of the gastrocnemius muscle does not cause a normal expected plantar flexion (Thompson's positive test).
Where does it hurt?
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Treating heel tendon injury
Inflammation of the tendon can be treated using special tabs in the shoes, raising the heel, and recommending the athlete to perform stretching exercises of the calf muscles. You can also use the lady of NSAIDs. The patient should not run uphill and from the mountain until the tendon ceases to hurt. Rupture of the tendon requires surgical treatment.