HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Achilles tendon rupture: first aid
Your Achilles tendons are the largest tendons in your body. They attach your calf muscles to your heel bones.
Sometimes an Achilles tendon can break (rupture).
How to tell if someone has ruptured an Achilles tendon
When someone ruptures an Achilles tendon they may:
- hear a snap, crack, or pop
- feel a sharp pain in the back of their leg and heel
- have difficulty moving their foot or walking, and may walk with their foot turned out
- be unable to stand on their tip toes or push off with their foot when walking
- have swelling, tenderness, and warmth in their Achilles tendon.
How to help someone with a ruptured Achilles tendon
- Apply an ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes. Don' t apply ice directly to their skin, but wrap it in a damp cloth.
- Sit them down and raise the affected leg above the level of their heart.
- Provide simple over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol. Follow the directions on the package.
- Encourage them not to put any weight on their leg or walk on it.
- Take them to their GP or an emergency care doctor. A physiotherapist or podiatrist will also be able to refer them to a specialist.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Page created December 2016.
SourcesReview key: HIFAD-141030
