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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffYour Achilles tendon helps you point your foot downward, rise on your toes and push off your foot as you walk. You rely on it virtually every time you move your foot.
In most cases, ruptures of the Achilles tendon occur at a spot on the tendon that receives less blood flow. This may weaken that section of the tendon, which also tends to degenerate with age.
Ruptures often are caused by a sudden increase in the amount of stress on your Achilles tendon. Common examples include:
- Occasional or increased participation in recreational sports
- Falling from a height
- Stepping into a hole
- Ham P, et al. Achilles tendinopathy and tendon rupture. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 19, 2009.
- Mercier LR. Achilles tendon rupture. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. Philadelphia, Pa.; Mosby Elsevier: 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/144262599-3/854154771/1701/15.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50004-5--subchapter10_244. Accessed June 19, 2009.
- Achilles tendon rupture. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2003. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/144262599-3/854154771/1103/1152.html#4-u1.0-B0-7216-8845-4..50032-6--cesec351_4702. Accessed June 19, 2009.
- Laskowsi ER (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 22, 2009.
