About your visit

We have examined your foot and ascertained that you have a ruptured Achilles tendon. We have given you a cast to immobilise your foot so the tendon can grow back together properly.

If you need crutches, we have lent you a pair to take home with you.

When you get home

Contact your general practitioner if your condition deteriorates

Call your general practitioner or dial 1813 to reach the medical helpline outside your general practitioner’s opening hours if:

• your toes become pale, cold and numb
• your toes begin to feel numb and tingly
• the cast feels too tight or begins to chafe
• the cast cracks
• the cast gets wet or becomes loose
• pain increases.

You have bruising and your ankle joint may get stiff

A ruptured Achilles tendon may cause:

• blue and red bruising at your toes and leg
• stiffness in the joint in your foot. 

These are normal reactions that will go away again.

Take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain 

If you need pain-relieving medicine, we recommend medicine containing paracetamol. You can buy this over the counter at pharmacies and in supermarkets. 

Use an ice compress

You can prepare an ice compress and place it on the swollen area or where you are experiencing pain. Wrap a bag of ice in a tea towel, for example, to avoid direct contact with your skin. Use a compress 2-3 times a day for 15-20 minutes. This will relieve the pain and swelling in your ankle.

Protect the cast

The cast will harden quickly but will not be completely dry for 24 hours. Therefore, try not to cover it with clothes for the first 24 hours. Also try not to bump into anything to avoid dents in the cast. 

We recommend that you cover the cast with a plastic bag when showering. Make sure the top of the bag is well sealed, so the cast does not get wet.

The cast can cause irritation

It is normal to experience the following:

• Sweating and itching under the cast. 
• Blood accumulation or bruises that spread to the toes. These symptoms will disappear without treatment.

If the cast has sharp edges that causes irritation, call the medical hotline at 1813. 

Avoid inserting objects to relieve itching

Do not insert objects, such as a knitting needle, into the cast to relieve itching. You risk damaging the skin and causing sores.

Use a shoe with the same sole thickness as the cast

Wear a snug-fitting shoe on your healthy foot. This will help you move around more safely. Wear a shoe with the same sole thickness as the cast so both your legs have the same length.

Adjust the crutches

The crutches must be adjusted so they fit your height. Crutches have the correct height when you can hold onto the crutches with a straight back, relaxed shoulders, and your arms fall to your side with a slight bend at the elbow.

Remember to adjust the crutches again after the cast is removed. Your back may begin to ache if the crutches are too low. If the crutches are too high, your neck and shoulders may begin to ache.

Check-ups

You will be called in for a check-up after 3 weeks where we will remove the cast and give you a boot with wedges. You will be called in digitally or by physical letter.
At the check-up, we will make sure your Achilles tendon is healing correctly. We will also discuss further treatment at the check-up.
You can expect to wear a bandage for at least 9 weeks.

Practical precautions

Wait with contact sport that involves abrupt stop-start and jumping

Your foot will not be ready for contact sport and exercise involving jumping or abrupt movement (e.g. football) until four to six months after the cast has been removed. Train the muscles in your injured leg to be as strong as the muscles in your healthy leg. This reduces the risk of rupturing your Achilles tendon again.

Take care on stairs

Be careful going up and down stairs after you have had the cast removed. Try putting your weight on the back of your foot. This will reduce the risk of rupturing your Achilles tendon again.

Worth knowing

Your personal data

The Capital Region of Denmark uses the personal data you share with us when you make an enquiry. You can read more about how we use your data and your rights on our website: https://www.regionh.dk/english/about-the-capital-region/about-the-website/Pages/Personal-data-policy.aspx.