Achilles Tendon Rupture

An Achilles tendon is located at the back of the lower leg. It is connected to the heel bone. Achilles tendon is a condition which occurs when a person tears the tendon either completely or partially. Tendon rupture is caused due to many reasons. However, recently, people consuming antibiotic drugs like Cipro and fluoroquinolone have been exposed to tendon ruptures.

Tendon Tears and Symptoms

An individual suffering from Achilles tendon ruptures experiences extreme pain. A patient with tendon tear will experience the following symptoms:

• A patient with complete tendon rupture will be unable to raise or move his toes.
• An individual with tendon tear will not be able to walk normally. He will experience severe pain while walking.
• He will experience pain and swelling towards the heel.
• He will be unable to place his foot downwards.

There is a high probability that a patient has not injured the tendon but may experience severe pain. Two common injuries similar to tendon rupture are tendonitis and bursitis.

Bursitis can be defined as irritation or inflammation on Bursa. It is located between the Achilles tendon and heel bone. The bursas are miniscule fluid-filled sacs floating in the body to provide cushion to muscles, bones and tendons.

Tendonitis occurs when there is inflammation in the Achilles tendon. There is a swelling and pain in the Achilles tendon in this condition. Tendonitis may occur due to the use of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Tendon Rupture and Causes

Tendon rupture may occur due to several reasons. Some of them are given below:

• Overuse of tendon muscles
• Running on hard surfaces or hills
• Inadequate stretching
• Worn out or ill-fitting
• Tight calf muscles
• Weak calf muscles
• Flat feet

Moreover, Achilles tendon can be torn due to excessive physical activities. However, even simple activities like moving, gardening and cleaning may also cause the Achilles tendon rupture. It happens when excessive stress is placed on the tendon. In fact, not only common people but also athletes are at an increased risk of tendon rupture.

Due to the overuse of tendon, it becomes weak and thin as individual ages. Therefore, the risk for tendon tears increases.

Another factor increasing the risk for tendon rupture among people is the consumption of antibiotics drugs like Cipro and fluoroquinolone drugs. Recently Food and Drug Administration announced black box warning on all fluoroquinolone drugs .Black box warning is one of the strongest warnings given to any drug by FDA.

Following are the few fluoroquinolone drugs:

• Cipro (ciprofloaxacin)
• Floxin (ofloxacin).
• Avelox (moxifloxacin HCL)
• Noroxin (norfloxacin).
• Factive (gemifloxacin mesylate)
• Levaquin (levofloxacin)
• Cipro XR and Proquin XR

The above listed antibiotics are used fro the treatment of various diseases like

bronchitis, chlamydia, bacterial infection, pneumonia, urinary tract or skin infection and airborne anthrax infection.

Treatment for Tendon Rupture:

In many cases, patients have to undergo surgery in which doctors stitch the tendons. Those who are not advised surgery have to wear boots for a longer time so that tendons may reattach themselves. Both the procedures are extremely costly and painful.

Patients who believe that they are suffering from tendon ruptures due to the use of fluoroquinolone drugs are suggested to contact an experienced attorney for filing a lawsuit against the company.