A rupture of the Achilles tendon occurs when it tears either partially or completely. This rupture usually occurs near the heel bone as it has the poorest blood flow, thus impairing its ability to heal, making it more prone to weakness. 

• Sudden and forceful movements without proper warm-up or conditioning
• Repetitive stress on the tendon over an extended period of time
• Wear and tear 

• Sudden or severe pain in the back of your ankle or calf
• Popping or snapping sound at the time of injury
• Difficulty walking or standing on tiptoes
• Swelling and stiffness in your ankle area
• Weakness in the affected leg
• Inability to push off or climb stairs
• Gap or indentation above your heel where the tendon has torn

You may experience sudden and severe pain in the back of your ankle or calf, and you may hear a pop before experiencing immediate sharp pain. For some, the pain may be so intense that it can be difficult to walk or stand on tiptoes.

• Athletes: participating in sports that involve sudden or forceful movements of the ankle increases your risk. This is especially true if you do not warm-up properly or if you do not condition your muscles before exercising. 
• Gender: a study conducted in 2016 found that an Achilles tendon rupture is 84% more likely to occur in men than in women. 
• Age: your risk of an Achilles tendon rupture increases between the ages of 30-40.
• Certain medications: some antibiotics and steroid injections can weaken the Achilles tendon, thus increasing the risk of rupture.
• Obesity: being overweight or obese puts extra strain on the Achilles tendon, increasing the risk of an Achilles tendon rupture.
• History of ankle problems: previous ankle problems such as tendonitis and arthritis, increases your risk of an Achilles tendon rupture.

It is important to take proper precautions and maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of experiencing or worsening Achilles tendon rupture.

Your doctor will perform the following tests for diagnosis:

• Physical examination: check for a gap in your tendon, signs of injury,  swelling, tenderness, and discolouration in the affected area. A calf squeeze test, also known as a Thompson test, will be used to check for an Achilles tendon rupture.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): an MRI may be requested to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the damage.

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history to rule out other possible causes of your pain and discomfort.

Seeking immediate medical treatment for your injury can help to prevent further/future damage and promote proper healing.

These treatment options include:

• Non-surgical: rest the affected foot, ice the area, and use crutches to avoid putting weight on the foot.
• Surgery: for severe cases, a surgery known as an Achilles tendon repair is necessary to fix the rupture. 
• Physiotherapy: physiotherapy involves gentle and therapeutic exercises  that will be used to rehabilitate the tendon and strengthen surrounding muscles.
• Lifestyle modifications: to prevent future injuries.