Mr. Ahmadi, an out-of-shape 45-year-old man, was advised by his physician to lose weight and to exercise on a regular basis. He followed his diet faithfully and began to jog daily. One day, while on his morning jog, he heard a snapping sound that was immediately followed by a severe pain in his right lower calf. When his leg was examined, a gap was seen between his swollen upper calf region and his heel. He was unable to plantar flex that ankle.
What do you think happened?
Why was the upper part of his calf swollen?
Full Answer Section
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Inability to Plantar Flex: The Achilles tendon is essential for plantar flexion, the movement that allows you to point your toes downward. Because the tendon is torn, Mr. Ahmadi would be unable to perform this action effectively, if at all.
Why the upper part of his calf was swollen:
The swelling in the upper calf is a direct result of the calf muscles retracting. When the Achilles tendon ruptures, these muscles, which are normally stretched and attached to the heel, are suddenly released. They then contract forcefully and recoil upwards, bunching up in the upper calf region. This bunching of muscle tissue is what causes the visible swelling.
In summary: The combination of the snapping sound, severe pain, the visible gap, and the inability to plantar flex strongly points to an Achilles tendon rupture. This is a significant injury that requires prompt medical attention.