Tendon Rupture: Recognition and First Aid Response
Tendon rupture is more likely to occur among middle-aged and older adults. In younger individuals, the muscle tissue often tears before the tendon fails. As the body ages or when certain medical conditions are present, tendons may weaken and rupture more easily.
A tendon rupture is a serious injury that often requires urgent medical assessment and, in many cases, surgical repair.
Common Causes of Tendon Rupture
Tendon rupture can occur due to several factors, including:
- Direct trauma
- Advancing age, which reduces blood supply to tendons and weakens their structure
- Eccentric loading, where a muscle contracts while being stretched in the opposite direction
- Steroid injections directly into a tendon
- Certain medications, including quinolone antibiotics
A snapping or popping sensation is commonly reported at the time of injury.
Signs and Symptoms of Tendon Rupture
An individual with a ruptured tendon may experience:
- Sudden, intense pain
- A snapping or popping sound or sensation
- Immediate weakness in the affected area
- Rapid bruising or swelling
- Difficulty or inability to bear weight
- Inability to use the affected arm or leg
- Limited movement or complete loss of function
- Visible deformity in some cases
When to Seek Medical Attention
Medical care should be sought immediately if an individual experiences:
- A snap or pop followed by severe pain
- Rapid bruising or swelling
- Weakness or inability to move the affected limb
- Inability to bear weight
- Obvious deformity
These symptoms strongly suggest a tendon rupture and require assessment in an emergency department or urgent care setting.
First Aid Considerations and Education Note
This information is provided as part of first aid education and injury awareness and is not a substitute for professional medical evaluation or treatment. Tendon ruptures are serious injuries that often require imaging, specialist care, and sometimes surgery.
Understanding how to recognize severe musculoskeletal injuries and respond appropriately is an important component of first aid preparedness. St. Mark James Training, Canada’s largest 100% Canadian-owned and operated first aid and CPR training provider, offers first aid training in Canada that covers injury recognition, immobilization principles, and when to escalate care.