Clinical Features

An injury that is associated with the following signs or symptoms may be a tendon rupture

• A snap or pop heard or felt.
• Severe pain.
• Rapid or immediate bruising.
• Marked weakness of affected area or limb.
• Inability to use the affected arm or leg.
• Inability to move the area involved.
• Inability to bear weight.
• Deformity of the area.
• Symptoms associated with specific injuries.
• Achilles tendon rupture: Inability to support yourself on tiptoes on the affected leg (you may be able to flex your toes downward because supporting muscles are intact.
• Rotator cuff rupture: Inability to bring your arm out to the side.
• Biceps tendon rupture: decreased strength of elbow flexion and decreased ability to raise the arm out to the side when the hand is turned palm up.