There was nothing there. If I had known then what I know now about Achilles tendon ruptures and their consequences, I would have bawled like a baby. Eighty-three percent of all Achilles injuries happen to men between the ages of 30 and 40. Achilles injuries are often preceded by several risk factors, though these are not always obvious to the athlete. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body, and though many athletes experience some discomfort known as tendonitis, they often ignore it.
Most orthopedic specialists agree that whenever inflammation sets in, rest is crucial.
The amount of rest needed should be determined by the severity and duration of the pain. Also, many athletes, whether they re in prime condition or not, experience some degeneration of their Achilles tendons from the effects of age and overuse, a painless condition called tendinosis and this condition is on the increase in younger athletes because of extreme overuse. Saltzman also recommends a small heel lift or custom shock-absorbing orthotic to help reduce symptoms. Those who opt for the latter are usually elderly patients who can t or don t want to go through the rigors of rehab. For me, surgery was a no-brainer I wanted to play ball again.