An Achilles tendon rupture is the complete or partial tear of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscle (triceps surae) to the heel bone.
It often occurs during sudden eccentric loading, for example at a sprint start or when stopping abruptly in sports with quick changes of direction. Typical signs are a whip-like sound, acute pain and a marked loss of push-off strength in the foot. In the Thompson test, plantar flexion is absent when the calf is squeezed with the patient lying face down. Treatment can be conservative or surgical.