A rupture to the Achilles tendon is a very common injury in male athletes - BBC Sport Academy explains all.

Who?
Most common for footballers, basketball, tennis and badminton players.

How?
Usually due to heavy landing on the fall and through wear and tear.

A tendon is a band or cord of dense fibrous tissue at the end of a muscle which attaches it to a bone.

The Achilles tendon is what attaches your calf muscles to your heel.

What kind of pain?
Intense pain just above the heel. People often think they have been hit from behind. Swelling and bruising in leg and foot.

Treatment?
Doctor will either put you in cast for 4-10 weeks or operate and provide walking boot.

Return?
Around three to four months.