What happens in an Achilles tendon rupture?

A sudden, strong strain of the three-headed calf muscle can cause an Achilles tendon rupture. Especially in sports with fast sprints, sudden stops and changes of direction - such as soccer, tennis or basketball - movements occur that put a lot of strain on the ankle joint. However, a completely healthy Achilles tendon tears extremely rarely. When an Achilles tendon rupture occurs, the affected tendon is usually pre-damaged by signs of wear and tear or minor injuries resulting from sports overload. Men in particular often suffer an Achilles tendon rupture (about five times more often than women).