RUPTURE of the Achilles tendon is an injury which can have a devastating effect on a sporting career...

Just ask the likes of Tiger Woods and David Beckham, whose careers have been put on hold in the past as a result.

It is, however, an injury which is common across the spectrum of sports, especially those involving weight-bearing or twisting and turning movements.

In many ways, this injury is similar to cruciate ligament injury in terms of causation, need for surgery in competitive athletes, long rehabilitation and potential career limitation.

Like the cruciate, the Achilles tendon is a short, but vital piece of sporting anatomy.

So how come such a small piece of our body can cause many of us so much pain and hassle?

The Achilles tendon is the large, thick tendon, which arises from the calf muscles and inserts on to the back of the heel bone (calcaneum). It transmits the contraction of the calf muscles, which move the foot.

Another key factor, which slows the healing process, is that the Achilles tendon has a poor blood supply.

So what factors contribute to Achilles tendon injury?

The most common presentation is in runners when there is a sudden increase in training, especially with the addition of hill running or an increase in running speed.

This is particularly common when runners fall behind in their running schedule prior to a race and try to increase the pace and distance to try to make up for lost time.

Unfortunately, the desire not to let others down, especially if running for charity, misleads us into ignoring the symptoms and trying to "run through" the pain.

Tight, poorly-stretched calf muscles will contribute to increasing the load on the tendon, with inflammation and pain the inevitable result. Recurrent "minor" episodes of damage and the resultant healing with scar, fibrous tissue, leave the athlete vulnerable to complete rupture, often described as if they were shot in the back of the leg.

Another major cause, and for me the most easily prevented, is poor footwear.

If you are trying to get a bit fitter and planning to start running, then take my advice - throw out your old trainers and invest in a good pair of running shoes.

The symptoms of Achilles tendon problems are usually uncomplicated.

Pain and swelling over the tendon, which are worse first thing in the morning or aggravated during exercise, are the most common.

The first stage in self-treatment is the most important - STOP RUNNING!

If it is not too severe, it may respond to modification of your training, so cut out the hills, decrease your pace and overall distances and run less often.

Use ice locally (remember never directly on to the skin) and try anti-inflammatory medication if you can take it.

A good tip is to wear a heel pad to raise the heel and lessen the strain on the tendon.

However, Achilles tendonopathy is one of those injuries I suggest requires a visit to a good sports physio at an early stage because if you ignore the early warning signs, and don't look after the injury, it may become chronic and very difficult to treat.

The National Sports Health and Injury Clinic is on 0141-616 6161 or at sportsmedicinecentre.org