Partial tear Achilles Tendon

Hi, I'm 38 female and 18 days ago whilst doing circuit training heard my ankle go snap and felt a huge kick in the back of my leg. I had an ice pack put on straight away. Saw GP following day who diagnosed partial tear in my achilles heel and advised to go to casualty immediately and that my leg would be put in a cast. I told him that I was flying with my kids on holiday following day and would it be ok to delay it until I returned in 7 days. He said it was unwise but he couldn't force me to go. The look on my daughters faces when he said that was enough for me to know that I would have to put up with the pain until I return.

I rested as much as I could on holiday but I did hear it go snap again.

Went to casualty immediately upon my return, told once again that I had a partial tear in achilles tendon, frowned upon and told that as I went on holiday I obviously wasn't that bothered so told to go away with Diclofenac, crutches and come back to the fracture clinic in 5 days.

Attended fracture clinic - doctor told me that I couldn't be in that much pain seeing that I'd left it so long before seeking treatment. Told it wasn't a complete rupture. Had x-ray - all clear, I asked for some support as I was a single mum and didn't want to risk further damage - eventually given a boot. Appointment for ultrasound to follow as he suspected blood clot.

Had ultrasound yesterday, no blood clot but fluid around tendon. Tendon appeared to be intact. Follow-up appointment with fracture clinic in 4 days.

As doctors (appear) to obviously not think I'm to bother with been trying to walk yesterday and today without the boot. I am in absoloute agony, can only limp and cannot use my left leg (injured one) to push off at all when walking or going upstairs.

Any pointers etc would gratefully be received before my next appointment.

Forgot to say was training to do half marathon and am an active person. Having read further threads on achilles related problems I now realise I should have immediately gone to casualty. However I do not think I should be punished (or so it seems) on the basis of upsetting my children.

A partial tear should be considered the same as a full tear in terms of the immediate rest etc. Unfortunately you've played the game wrong in terms of the Achilles but that was your choice. You should have at least gone on holiday in a boot. X-rays won't show up the damage. A dynamic assessment of the achilles with ultrasound is a useful tool. Maybe there's some internal fibre rupture in there and that's why the fluid is contained. I would tend to do a physical assessment of your ability to use the achilles. the should lead to more insight into the area where the tear is and perhaps you then need a follow-up MRI. It does sound like you need conservative management now. I'd be getting into a boot while I await the appointment as a caution.