If you’ve ever heard someone describe feeling like they were punched in the back of their legs, or hearing a popping sound from their heel or calf area, it’s very possible that they’re talking about an Achilles tendon injury. It’s a very common-activity related injury – but it can be a serious one.

In this episode, James Holmes, M.D. joins us to answer the most commonly searched questions about Achilles tendon injuries, including:

• What does the Achilles tendon do?
• What are some of the more common Achilles tendon injuries?
• How are Achilles tendon injuries treated and how long does it take to recover?
• What exercises are safe to do with an Achilles injury?
• Are there things you can do to prevent an injury to the Achilles tendon?
• Are some people more prone to this type of injury? Is there a genetic aspect?
• Who needs Achilles tendon surgery and what does that surgery involve?
• Is an Achilles tendon injury a career-ending injury for an elite athlete?

You can find the episode transcript here.

The Michigan Answers podcast is hosted by Preeti Malani, M.D, M.S.J., Chief Health Officer at the University of Michigan and an internal medicine physician at Michigan Medicine. For more answers to some of the top searched questions on the internet, visit our website at MichiganAnswers.com.

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