Care areaAnkle
Treated byWilliam Kel Vasileff, MD

The short answer

An Achilles tendon injury ranges from irritation of the tendon to a partial or complete tear. Dr. Vasileff evaluates Achilles tendon injuries in Columbus and treats them, starting with rest, bracing, and physical therapy, and offering Achilles tendon repair for tears that need surgical care.

William Kel Vasileff diagnoses and treats achilles tendon injury in Columbus, from the first visit through recovery.

What is Achilles Tendon Injury?

The Achilles tendon is the strong cord at the back of the ankle that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone.

It lets you push off when you walk, run, and jump. Injuries fall on a spectrum.

Achilles tendinitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendon, often from overuse, and causes pain and stiffness at the back of the ankle. An Achilles tendon rupture is a partial or complete tear, which often happens suddenly during sports and can feel like a snap or a kick to the back of the leg, followed by weakness pushing off.

Tendinitis usually responds to non-surgical care. A complete rupture is a more significant injury that needs prompt evaluation to decide between non-surgical and surgical treatment.

How is Achilles Tendon Injury diagnosed, and what does the visit involve?

Dr. Vasileff diagnoses Achilles injuries by exam and, when needed, imaging.

The exam checks tenderness along the tendon, a gap where a rupture may have occurred, and calf strength. A common bedside test gently squeezes the calf to see whether the foot moves, which helps identify a complete tear. Ultrasound or MRI can confirm the extent of a tear and guide treatment when the exam is unclear.

What is recovery like for Achilles Tendon Injury?

Recovery depends on the injury.

Tendinitis often improves over weeks with rest and therapy. After a rupture, whether treated with or without surgery, a return to daily activity is commonly reported over several months, with return to sport taking longer, according to general guidance from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. These are ranges, not promises, and depend on the injury and your rehabilitation.

What are the treatment options?

01
Rest, ice, and activity changes to calm an irritated tendonRest, ice, and activity changes to calm an irritated tendon
02
Heel lifts or a walking boot to reduce strainHeel lifts or a walking boot to reduce strain
03
Calf stretching and eccentric strengthening, a specific type of physical therapy for tendoCalf stretching and eccentric strengthening, a specific type of physical therapy for tendon problems
04
Anti-inflammatory medicine for short-term reliefAnti-inflammatory medicine for short-term relief
05
Bracing or casting for select tears, allowing the tendon to heal without surgeryBracing or casting for select tears, allowing the tendon to heal without surgery
06
Achilles tendon repair, a surgery to reconnect the torn ends, considered for many completeAchilles tendon repair, a surgery to reconnect the torn ends, considered for many complete ruptures and for cases that do not respond to non-surgical care

Training and credentials

Education and training

Medical school at Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States (Doctor of Medicine (MD)). Residency at Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, United States. Fellowship at Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, United States.

FellowshipHenry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, United StatesOrthopaedic Surgery, Sports Medicine
ResidencyHenry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, United StatesOrthopaedic Surgery
Medical schoolOhio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States (Doctor of Medicine (MD))Doctor of Medicine
Board statusAmerican Board of Orthopaedic SurgeryBoard certified

What do patients ask most?

Did I tear my Achilles or just strain it?

A sudden snap at the back of the ankle with weakness pushing off suggests a rupture and should be evaluated promptly. Gradual pain and stiffness are more typical of tendinitis. An exam and imaging tell the two apart.

Can an Achilles rupture heal without surgery?

Some ruptures heal well with a period in a boot or cast and structured rehabilitation. Others do better with surgical repair. The right choice depends on the tear, your activity level, and your health.

How long until I can walk normally again?

After a significant Achilles injury, walking normally often returns over several months, according to general guidance from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This is a range, not a promise.

Why does the back of my ankle hurt when I run?

Pain and stiffness at the back of the ankle with activity often point to Achilles tendinitis, an overuse irritation of the tendon. Early rest and calf stretching help most cases.

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