Quick facts on Beckham’s injury

David Beckham’s tendon injury has shattered his dreams (and those of millions of fans) of playing at the World Cup this year.

The English soccer star’s Achilles tendon was torn off completely during an AC Milan match against Chievo Verona over the weekend. He underwent a successful operation in Finland on Monday to put together the two parts again, but it will still take him months to make a full recovery.

So, what exactly is an Achilles tendon, what happens if it gets injured and when can we see Becks back on the soccer field again?

The Achilles tendon

The Achilles tendon, also known as the heel tendon, is a strong, fibrous piece of inelastic tissue that connects the heel bone (also known as the calcaneus) to the calf muscles in your leg (namely the gastrocnemius and the soleus).

Being one of the body's strongest connective tissues, the Achilles tendon contains many collagen (cartilage) fibres. It can be felt running down the back of the calf into the heel, and is worked by the calf muscles. It pulls on the heel when walking, running, or standing on tiptoe.

The Achilles tendon plays a major role in everyone’s mobility. It helps you contract your calf muscles, as well as giving you the ability to roll your ankles, or move them in different directions. If damaged, it would be almost impossible to walk and the ankle would be very weak. Having a torn tendon could not only disable you to quite a large extent, but it would also be quite painful.

Torn Achilles tendon

The Achilles tendon is usually torn when the leg is straight and the calf muscle contracts.
 
Players often feel as though someone has kicked them from behind and may be puzzled when they don't see anyone behind them. This is a typical symptom of a complete or partial rupture of the Achilles tendon.

A partial rupture of the Achilles tendon causes the tendon to tear, but not completely. Scar tissue will form which is likely to lead to inflammation of the tendon. Often the player will not feel the rupture at the time but will become aware of it later when the tendon has cooled down.

A total Achilles tendon rupture is one of the worst sports injuries and very painful.

Symptoms include:

• A sudden sharp pain as if kicked in the back of the leg
• Hearing a loud crack or bang
• Inability to walk properly
• Inability to stand on tiptoe
• Feeling a gap in the tendon
• Swelling

If this happens to you, it is very important that you get to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible. The sooner you get this injury operated, the better your chances are of making a full recovery.

How does it happen?

The partial or complete rupture of an Achilles tendon can happen even without a major incident, particularly in athletes whose bodies are under the continual stress of physical training.

Beckham has had little time off, playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer and then going on loan with AC Milan in Italy. During the AC Milan game in Sunday, Becks was on his own in the centre circle before he began hopping on his right leg, grimacing in pain.

Treatment and healing period

A torn Achilles tendon is typically fixed with surgery. After the operation, patients are outfitted with a cast or brace to help the tendon heal, for about six to eight weeks, after which the patient starts physiotherapy. In total it takes about three to five months to make a full recovery.
 
Why is it called the Achilles tendon?

According to ancient Greek mythology, Achilles was the Greek hero and greatest warrior of the Trojan War. He seemed invincible and killed several enemies and their allies. Achilles was immortalised when his mother Thetis dipped him into the sanctified river Styx. However, she held Achilles by his heel, so the water did not touch his ankle, making it the only vulnerable part of his body. Paris, with the help of the god Apollo, shot an arrow into Achilles’ heel, disabling him. He eventually died from this injury.

(Sources: Medlineplus.gov, Mayoclinic.com, Associated Press, Pantheon.org)

- (Compiled by Birgit Ottermann, Health24, March 2010)