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Warning-sign checks

Achilles tendon problems: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact your clinician sooner if pain or swelling is getting worse despite reducing activity, if a treatment device causes skin damage or numbness, or if you are unable to progress with rehabilitation.

    New sudden weakness, a pop, or loss of push-off strength needs urgent assessment for a tear.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is used to review pain, walking, strength, ankle movement, and progress with rehabilitation.

    A clinician or physical therapist can adjust exercises as the tendon’s capacity improves.

The article also says

Recovery from tendinopathy is often gradual.

Day-to-day symptoms may vary, so trends over several weeks are more useful than a single good or bad day.

Returning to running or sport usually involves stepwise increases in load rather than an immediate return to full activity.

After a rupture, keep scheduled appointments for boot or cast adjustments and rehabilitation.

Do not change the ankle position, stop using prescribed support, or return to sport earlier than advised.

These steps can affect how the tendon heals.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Achilles tendon problems. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.