Can You Walk on a Torn Achilles Tendon? Partial / Full Ruptures

In this video, Maryke explains what it feels like when you try and walk with a partially torn Achilles as well as a fully ruptured Achilles tendon. She also discusses how to decide when it is OK to walk if you've torn your tendon.
🌟Need more help with your injury? You’re welcome to consult one of the team at TMA online via video call for an assessment of your Achilles injury and a tailored treatment plan: www.treatmyachilles.com
Chapters:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:00:47 Can you walk with a partially torn Achilles tendon?
00:02:23 Can you walk with a fully ruptured Achilles tendon?
00:03:30 Can I walk with a ruptured Achilles tendon - is it OK?
👉Achilles tendon Tears Playlist: • Achilles Tendon Tears
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References:
Brukner & Khan et al. (2016) CLINICAL SPORTS MEDICINE: INJURIES, VOL. 1. (Buy the book: amzn.to/3gUJ6EJ)
Gatz, M., et al. (2020). "Partial Achilles tendon rupture-a neglected entity: a narrative literature review on diagnostics and treatment options." Journal of Clinical Medicine 9(10): 3380.

[@paulychannel7914]

I ruptured my left foot achilles tendon when dancing about 10 years ago, was in immediate pain! Went to see a physiotherapist the next day, was able to walk, but only just! Was told that it was not fully torn so I didn't have surgery. I returned to work as a baker 3 days later & basically hobbled around with lots of pain all the way up the back of my leg for over 6 months as I was a casual worker & couldn't afford to take time off & maybe lose my job! After 2 months I could drive my car again (ie push in the clutch with my left foot) . Eventually 4 months later the pain subsided & I could walk normally

[@xbadandy182x]

Thats crazy man. 4 months ain't bad if you actually ruptured it. I have a manual transmission in my car as well. Insertional tendonitis in my left foot. I can drive but it definitely pisses the tendon off. Almost 3 months in to my injury. I'll be pumped if I am healed a month from now!

[@bullshark3000]

are you able to dance again?

[@Jmpaul26]

Same I have an MT but I got a partial tear in my right foot, so clutch foot is fine, but gas foot is tender. When the rupture happened, I actually drove myself home. Urgent care told me the tear was partial and gave me a boot. Waiting to see my PCP this week for more guidance.

[@thefrase7884]

I call bs. There’s no way after 4 months you are walking normal again. You couldn’t have torn. 4 months without any immobility wouldn’t heal it. You couldn’t have torn it. Try standing on your tippy toes. No way

[@aryac5599]

Very informative!

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Glad you found it useful!

[@paulomota9719]

Thank you, I am battling with a torn tendon on left foot. High volume injection already tried and failed to improve anything. The pain can be unbearable at some points of the day, also loosing the ability of lifting the heel when walking. Thank you for the video. Love your accent 😊

[@TreatMyAchilles]

You're welcome, and good luck with your recovery!

[@franaraujo594]

the third reason is kobe

[@MEDICOHOLIC3]

Durant also KD 35

[@Christoph-lv9tc]

Took a bad tumble in mid December and it fealt as though my calf had been torn out of my right leg and my whole right foot swelled and turned all the colours of the rainbow from toes to heel; even the sole. All the bruising has now gone; with the toes and the sole being the last areas to give up the black bruises. Having been fitted with a boot and issued with self administering anti-coagulation injections, I am on the last injection tomorrow. Wearing the boot and walking tends to upset my other, arthritic, joints somewhat and the right foot looks quite well first thing in the morning but is swelled by late evening. Following an ultrsound scan I am awaiting a surgeon to decide on the best treatment for my 50% achilles rupture; surgery, or physiotherapy? I found this video both informative and encouraging.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Thanks for sharing, and good luck with your recovery!

[@yamatomusashi1412]

Thnk you 👋

[@TreatMyAchilles]

You’re welcome 😊

[@hebrewhammer8571]

I’m walking on it now

[@stevehughes3357]

Hi, I've been on moxifloxacin antibiotics which have given me tenderness in my achilies area from my calf to achillies on both legs. Have you got any advice on what I should do?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

I've just realised that I've not yet made a video about how to treat this type of tendonitis so I've added it to the list. It basically requires a period of time where you reduce your daily activities to a level that does not aggravate your pain by much ( as small discomfort while and after doing thigs is usually ok) and also rebuilding your tendon strength through carefully graded strength training. But in cases where antibiotics have caused the issue, you usually just have to go really really slow with the strength training. You may also benefit from wearing shoes with a slight heel on them for a while to temporarily reduce the load on the tendons - running shoes work well - very flat shoes often make the pain feel worse initially. If you wanted more specific rehab advice and help with getting back to your normal activities, this is something that our team of physios can help you with via video call. You can read more about how the online consultations work here: www.treatmyachilles.com/

[@leighkeech6711]

I fully ruptured my Achilles tendon. Saw afterhours med centre who didn’t cast it. I was walking around on it 4 days before ultrasound showed the actual damage. I just couldn’t go upstairs or slopes. Med centre apologised to me for not casting it on Day 1

[@TheEverydayPreacher]

Hey my dr hasn't casted mine and it's week 1.5.... I had an xray and bone is good. I don't have a boot. What do you suggest?

[@firiehiwoty7581]

Hello Thank you for sharing this vital information. Can you please advise me on the chronic achilles tendon rapture treatment? It's been 22 years complete and neglected rapture. Do you think surgery will help to eliminate lagging during walking? Thanks

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Following a structured and progressive rehab plan for several months is usually the best option to strengthen your calf + Achiles tendon and allow it to function better. If you've had this for 22 years, you have to also be prepared that your progress will be slow and that you will have to be very diligent with your exercises - it will very likely take 12 to 18 months of regular strength training (several times a week) to reach full potential and your programme will have to be adjusted as you progress. If you wanted more specific rehab advice and help with getting back to your normal activities, this is something that our team of physios can help you with via video call. You can read more about how the online consultations work here: www.treatmyachilles.com/

[@firiehiwoty7581]

@@TreatMyAchilles , Thank you very much. I will follow the link.

[@kristinavargas8919]

As imbkxax8anbak 9amhkahknkzqz9qm b lhmcdcece we dpeblblc0c0s

[@roselynnescott3954]

I just ruptured my right Achilles about a month ago they said my tear was to high up my calf for surgery and they didn’t think surgery was necessary. But my question was will it happen again due to the fact I’m an active and I tend to play sport all year around.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

No, if you rehabilitate and strengthen it properly it will be absolutely fine. So it is important to build proper strength before you go back to your sport. If you go back too early or neglect your strength training, then it may reinjure. This is also something that our team of physios can help you with via video call. You can read more about how the online consultations work here: www.treatmyachilles.com/

[@willieboy3011]

Good, basic information. My injury was 10 weeks ago, and not that bad. I could work through the pain, but it made it worse. I was doing walking and elliptical. However, I could not get over my limp, and exercise made it worse. So I quit 7 weeks after injury. Now there is no limp, I miss walking, but I do not want to make it worse. The pain is not bad, yet it is persistent, chronic. I am wondering about starting my treadmill walking or elliptical, but I do not want to start limping again.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Make sure that you do specific exercises to build your strength in your Achilles before you start pushing your walking. If you're unsure what to do, this is something that our team of physios can help you with via video call. You can read more about how the online consultations work here: www.treatmyachilles.com/

[@willieboy3011]

@@TreatMyAchilles Thank You.

[@shellyrae777]

I have foot and ankle swelling, the more I walk the more swollen it gets, doesn’t hurt at all, but had an mri and said I had a tear in the middle of the Achilles.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

This video can help you understand how to treat partial tears: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWqoXoOhfLWNqK8

[@shellyrae777]

@@TreatMyAchilles Thank you ❤️

[@beesonpluto]

i do gymnastics and i fell off the beam and landed with my foot in the crack of two mats pushing the top of my foot towards my shin. I heard/felt a lot of cracks/pops when it happened and my calf started hurting. I iced and my tendon looked bumpy, then swelled up a lot. I did the calf squeeze test at home and it showed i didn't have a tear. But every other symptom i see online suggests i have a partial tear. Should i see a doctor? would you recommend crutches and/or a walking boot?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

It sounds like you need to get it checked as soon as possible - calf squeeze only pics up complete ruptures (not partial tears) and it is not 100% accurate.

[@abualzuaree]

I had an Insertional Achilles tendonapothy injury 2.5 months ago and I just recently started to walk without a boot. Currently using new balance shoes with insoles and it helps when walking but I still feel a slight bump happening in my Achilles when I take a step and stretch it. If that makes sense lol idk what that feeling is though. Could it be that I'm walking to early?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

You should definitely be walking but you should try to determine how much is OK for it at this point. It will have a limit. You should also be doing strength training to strengthen the tendon and get it back to normal.

[@abualzuaree]

@@TreatMyAchilles I am walking and doing therapy for it daily, it flares up after every workout or 5 min walk but I feel it slightly getting more tolerable to pain

[@JamMaul]

I recently had surgery 4weeks. Now. I still have slight numb feelings around the toes is this normal???

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Yes, it is normal but you should really be asking your surgeon or the physio in charge of your care these questions as they know what was done and what is expected.

[@BookieLukie21]

I tore mine a year ago, ER didn't take any x-rays, just gauzed it, and sent me home. I was in so much pain! Had to use a cane. I'm still trying to heal it even after P/T. Current x-rays still show it inflammed. I'm still using a cane for anything more than a few houses down my street. 😢😢😢

[@TheEverydayPreacher]

Hey I'm on week 1.5 and I'm sure I ruptured my Achilles. I did have an xray and bone is good. Dr hasn't recommended a boot, what do you think? How's your process been.

[@BookieLukie21]

@@TheEverydayPreacher push for the boot, and keep on the ice regimen! Best of luck, I'm still sore and need a cane for extended standing/ walking.

[@mysteryAly]

I have a question I had a full ruptured Achilles’ tendon repair and just found out that above that has ruptured up the tendon up the back of my leg but not sure how bad it is yet. I am curious why it re-tore hire up? I was told that the tendon also never got stronger. And am curious how that happened when I followed the instructions given from physical therapy and the dr?

[@OscarASevilla]

Repair could have not been full. More likely, your Achilles Tendon is weak, more specifically in the upper area of the tendon. Repair took care of it, and put it back together. Good, now that part is secured. However, now, in the upper part of the tendon, it's still weak. So, it will just fail at a spot above the Repair. Take this with grain of salt.

[@mysteryAly]

@@OscarASevilla so is there nothing I can do to help the situation?

[@Brizzo200]

I felt a pinch at my insertion point after leaning forward on tippy toes and forcing a window closed. Why would I feel a pinch at the insertiom point? Avulsion?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

I really can't tell without assessing you. An avulsion is usually really painful so if the pinch did not cause much discomfort after, then it is likely not that.

[@Brizzo200]

@@TreatMyAchilles mild discomfort that has been on and off lingering for a couple day's now. Okay thank you for the bit of insight. Its odd because the pinch was very very distinct at the insertion point, not sure what to make of it as most tear's I hear tend to be further up. In any case, hopefully it starts to dissapear in the next couple of weeks, maybe I stretched it or tweaked a couple strand's of the tendon towards the insertion ( if thats possible ). My thompson's test is a strong negative.

[@ericko777]

I think I have a partial tear. I have a small bump towards the bottom of the tendon. I was curious how long I should take it easy for. I was walking over 20,000 steps a day at work. I was in some pain the first couple of days, and i had some pain during and after work. However the pain was only bad for a couple of days, but now I'm afraid to walk quickly because I don't want to rupture it. I am now walking about half as much as before. If the pain is mostly gone, should I worry about rupturing it from just walking?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

You really need to be doing strength training exercises to regain the strength in your tendon before you go back to +++ walking. This video explains it better kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWqoXoOhfLWNqK8

[@kristinavargas8919]

Ciwmji9wbgkck kcienvakxsfiwn nc9embkciembmbkcdcoemvmc8dbncodmbmcodmbmdceciembm kcecoembsmcdcdcc8nvj davisnbnbnvdkbkcscosmvakbkbkcs owmbsxwcwceciiwbnvkvdvdvdviwnbskcoemvnnmvsvdvd om mvsvkbvkc0 d or. P

[@kristinavargas8919]

Cf9 mevdc9embmxpsmjsm bmhn iqbal 9wmbsmxosm m s osbzm pambm ianbkx0amjka iab0q

[@amysharma4972]

My dr is sending me to physical therapy and I’m wearing a cam boot I’ve not been told to ice or elevate what do you think

[@TreatMyAchilles]

I can't comment on treatment without actually knowing all the details of your situation - I would trust your doctor's opinion.

[@justbrowsin1783]

I ruptured my right Achilles 2 weeks ago playing basketball. Non contact, no excessive movement, just a simple turn around dribble move and poof I just felt like someone kicked the back of my right shoe and heard a POP. I didn't do surgery but I had it on cast to immobilize it for at least a month. When will I be able to do some weight bearing activities like walking? Do I need to wear a special type of shoe?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

Usually once the cast is removed your foot will be placed in a boot. Your doctor will guide you through this process.

[@seemnaaz8107]

Even i got injury on my tendon i had my leg in cast for one month And i am attending physiotherapy for it but my ancle swell in front area and i am tripling while walking 😢

[@sharodervin4590]

How’s your healing coming?

[@justbrowsin1783]

@@sharodervin4590 Im back to work after a month more o less of removing of the cast. It was a struggle at first, no strength and mobility on the injured foot. It was painful during weight bearing but I tried really hard to overcome it. I barely used my boots because it's a hassle. But I did put some additional soles/foam to facilitate plantar flexion and it also alleviated the pain. 7 months since the injury I am able to walk now without pain. But it's still stiff in the morning so I need to do range of motion exercises for a couple of mins. I was actually able to do some light basketball with precautions.

[@sharodervin4590]

I had something similar happen however I am still able to walk but not a full motion. I did X-rays and there was no sign of bone injury. I see the orthopedic Doctor though just to be sure I didn’t tear it. I have full range of motion going counter clock wise, but I cannot do a calf raise on the left side. And I can point my foot down on the ground but not as fast or hard as the good one. The doctor stated that she thinks is a ankle sprain but I have to be sure tomorrow. The injury happened on Saturday

[@bobbymcclain3634]

Went to the 3 doctors & was told that I have a sprained ankle and the 4th doctor told me I actually had a partial tear, now I’m wearing heel wedges, it’s getting better but my question is that everything they told me to do was based on my diagnosis of ankle sprain, I was not supposed to be stretching it & other things, did I slow my healing time by weeks because I didn’t know it was a partial tear ?

[@TreatMyAchilles]

It will likely take a bit longer but it should still heal well - start counting from when you started the correct treatment regime

[@bobbymcclain3634]

@@TreatMyAchilles ok ! Thank you :) One more question, take your time to answer, there’s no real pain anymore although still alittle swollen, do I still continue to ice/heat regime ? And can an Achilles also have an effect on your toes as in pain or stiffness? 🤔

[@PricelessJesus]

Mine been swollen 6 months.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

This video may give you some ideas about how you can get rid of it; kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmLRl5qLZsagrMk

[@PricelessJesus]

@@TreatMyAchilles ty

[@PricelessJesus]

Not been able to go on tiptoe for a yr now? But can walk with a bit of pain? And its swollen? Wats wrong with it please ​@TreatMyAchilles

[@PDM-95]

I’m not sure if you will even see this, but it’s worth a try. Here’s a little backstory to my current situation. Will there ALWAYS be swelling or bruising, even with the slightest of tears? I thought I had a calf strain early in a flag football game last weekend. I kept playing through it even though it was difficult. On the last touchdown I threw, late in the game, I felt a pop in the lowest part of the calf(about 3-3.5 inches above the bottom of the Achilles). Immediately came out of the game, and walking has been a struggle until yesterday. Now, I can pretty much walk without a limp, but it still feels very tight and somewhat painful with every foot strike. I’m worried that it could be Achilles related. Back in 2007, I cut my foot on glass, and severed the FHL tendon. Didn’t have that diagnosed until too late. The tendon had retracted for two or three weeks, but still wanted to try surgery. My surgeon told me that he removed a tendon that runs parallel to the Achilles. He said he folded it in half, and attached it to both ends of the retracted and severed FHL tendon. He set the expectation all along that it probably would not be successful and it wasn’t. Just wondering now if that tendon removal, not sure the actual name of the tendon, compromised the Achilles in anyway. Playoffs are this weekend, and the team needs me if possible. I’m moving around fine now, but am worried if there is a partial tear or if the Achilles could be compromised. There was never any swelling or bruising, but I still iced and took a lot of ibuprofen the first two days after the injury. Would you be concerned? I was planning on doing stationary throwing at practice this coming Tuesday. I want to help the team this coming weekend, but not if there is a possibility of a partial tear now, or the possibility of a compromised Achilles getting worse by cutting and planting during the game. What would you do? I hope that it’s just a tight calf that is strained. Obviously an Achilles injury would be catastrophic. Thank you if you see this!

[@PDM-95]

Also, ZERO pain and full range on calf raises. It’s just painful and tight when put in the stretched position and pushing off on each foot strike. Weird that there is no pain or disco on stationary calf raises, but there is some discomfort and tightness when walking.

[@TreatMyAchilles]

It definitely sounds like you've torn something but I can't tell if it is your Achilles or not. No, there isn't always bruising with calf or Achilles tears. I would not play - even if you're pain free walking by Friday, you would not have regained your full strength yet and you will likely re-tear whatever you injured the first time and in my experience it is usually much worse than the first time. So think about long term benefits vs. short term. Is it really worth playing for 10min on the weekend and then sustaining a massive injury that keeps you out for months after that? Or would you rather get it diagnosed properly now and properly rehab it and be able to play again in a few weeks' time?