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Throughout your body, tendons keep the muscles secure to the bones. Although tendons are built to handle significant force, factors like repeat wear and tear, certain diseases, steroid use or an untreated injury can cause this thick, fibrous tissue to tear or snap, resulting in a rupture.
The risk of partial and full tendon tears increases with age, as well as conditions like arthritis, gout, hyperparathyroidism and tendonitis that can weaken these tissues.
When a rupture occurs, you’ll feel a sharp, debilitating pain and may hear a loud popping sound. Learn how ruptured tendons occur and the available treatment options.
What Is a Ruptured Tendon?
Within your body’s soft tissue network, tendons are connective tissue that support your bones and joints. They also play a vital role in your movement. When a tendon gets stretched too far, put in an awkward position or has repeated stress placed on it, a tear can result. This occurrence may stem from gradual wear or happen after a car accident, acute sports injury or fall.
When you experience a ruptured tendon, there will be pain and swelling in the area but you may also find the adjacent joint doesn’t function or you can’t place weight on another part of your body. Most people recover with the RICE method but in some cases, surgery to repair and reconnect the torn ligament becomes essential.
Causes of a Ruptured Tendon
Individuals beyond middle age have higher risks for a ruptured tendon due to a lifetime of strain placed on their ligaments. Certain chronic conditions can also weaken the body’s tissues or inflict additional stress. Other factors contributing to a ruptured tendon include:
- A sudden and sharp force applied to the joint area
- Stretching muscles and ligaments in the opposite direction of their natural movement
- Placing a high degree of stress on the tendon, suddenly or repeatedly over time
- Steroid injections, a common treatment for inflammation-related injuries like tendonitis
- Taking certain antibiotics
- Declining blood supply to the ligaments, often in response to aging
- Poor muscle conditioning in athletic activity
- Lifting heavy objects
While ruptured tendons can occur anywhere in your body, common areas include the knees, foot, rotator cuff, elbow and biceps.
Signs of a Ruptured Tendon
In addition to significant pain, symptoms of a ruptured tendon include:
- Feeling or hearing a pop
- Bruising around a joint
- Joint weakness and stiffness
- An incorrectly positioned joint
The RICE method typically works for moderate swelling and bruising but medical attention becomes necessary if you can’t support your body weight or lift your arm.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To diagnose a ruptured tendon, an MRI or CT scan examines the soft tissues and an X-ray can assess any related damage. Your doctor may conduct additional tests to see how your foot, hands or other body parts respond, including flexing, moving in a certain direction or bearing your weight.
Once the severity of the tear is determined, you may be steered toward:
- RICE: Rest, ice, compression and elevation. You may also need to wear a brace or sling.
- Pain Medication: Temporary use of an NSAID or acetaminophen to reduce joint swelling.
- Support: Temporary use of an assistive device like crutches to keep weight off the area.
- Physical Therapy: Sessions may focus on improving strength and movement around the affected joint as you recover.
- Surgery: Necessary if the tendon is torn from the bone or a fully torn ligament needs repair.
Are you recovering from a ruptured tendon? Turn to the team at Integrated Rehab for your recovery plan, including strengthening the area and preventing future injuries. To learn more, contact us today.