Weekend Athletes at Risk for Achilles Rupture

Fitness and Exercise Warning

Weekend warriors - beware of an Achilles rupture.

If you jump into a strenuous tennis match or a basketball game on the weekend, with little or no related exercise during the week, you are at risk for an Achilles injury, according to the April 2005 issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

The Achilles tendon is at the back of your leg, just above the heel. It attaches your calf muscle to your heel bone. It allows you to push off with your foot and to stand on your tiptoes.

However, a quick move on the tennis court could cause a tear or rupture, an injury most common in middle-aged men or older adults. You might hear a pop and feel immediate, sharp and possibly severe pain at the back of your ankle and lower leg.

Usually there is no warning of a rupture. However, certain medical conditions may contribute to tendon rupture - among them chronic inflammation of a tendon (tendonitis), gout and overproduction of a parathyroid hormone. Certain antibiotics called fluoroquinolones may further increase tendon risks.

If you suspect an Achilles rupture, elevate the affected leg and avoid putting any weight on it. Ice the area of pain and seek a doctor's care as soon as possible. Proper treatment ranges from physical therapy to surgery.