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The Symptoms of a Tendon Rupture

Tendons are the fibrous materials that connect a muscle to a bone. The symptoms of a tendon rupture are often extremely painful and may result in long term disability if neglected and not treated. Although rupturing a tendon is a relatively rare event, extreme athletes or those who engage in very physical sports may be more likely to suffer from this ailment. Tendons are able to tolerate high levels of pressure--up to five times your body weight as a result it is often difficult to rupture a tendon.

  1. Severe Pain

    • Because symptoms of a tendon rupture are significant, searing pain is often the immediate and first noticed of a tendon problem. According to eMedicine, the fact that the tendon is the tissue that connects the bone and muscle together is often the substantial source of the pain. Once a tendon is ruptured, there is often little support from the muscle and tendon involved. For example, an Achilles' tendon rupture will result in being unable to stand on the affected leg and you will be unable to stand on your toes or bend them.

    Audible Pop or Snapping Sound

    • When a tendon ruptures, according to eMedicine, a distinct popping sound can be heard as the tendon snaps away from the bone. This is almost immediately followed by a searing pain as the muscle then snaps in response. If playing or engaging in sports and a snapping sound is heard, immediately stop the activity and seek medical attention.

    Weakness

    • The symptoms of a tendon rupture are significant to any athlete. According to eMedicine, one of the strongest and most common is weakness in the muscle affected by the tendon. In many cases, the muscle will immediately feel as if it has been zapped of strength. The leg or arm will be unable to support any weight and will be extremely difficult, it not impossible, to move. Weakness is the result of the tendon not securing the muscle to the bone, eliminating the structure that supports the leveraging of the muscle against the bone.

    Immediate Bruising

    • According to eMedicine, one of the symptoms of a tendon rupture is immediate bruising in the affected area of the body. A bruise is an indication of bleeding within tissues underneath the skin. As the tendon snaps and ruptures, bleeding occurs causing the bruise. Often, the bruise will appear within a few days if it does not show as a darkening of the skin immediately after the rupture occurs.

    Deformity

    • Another symptom of a tendon rupture, according to eMedicine, is an immediate deformity of the area. This happens due to several different events that occur as a result of the tendon rupture. First, the muscle becomes detached from the bone. This can cause the muscle to bunch up and not only be painful, but also appear deformed. In addition, the fluids that lubricate the joint may also accumulate along the tendon, lending the joint to have a ballooned appearance.

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