The Achilles tendon is the thick band that connects your calf muscles to your heel. It’s strong, but not indestructible. Runners, walkers, and weekend footballers all know the feeling — a dull pain just above the heel that flares after activity.

Most of the time, this is tendinopathy, a kind of overuse injury. Rest, stretching, and physiotherapy can help, but ignoring it for too long can lead to small tears that are harder to treat.

If you ever feel a sudden snap or pop in the back of your leg, followed by weakness or bruising, that could be a tendon rupture — and you should seek help straight away.

Modern treatments are much better than the old “six weeks in a cast.” Many ruptures can now be repaired or managed with a combination of early movement, bracing, and specialist input.

So if your Achilles has been grumbling for weeks, don’t just hope it will settle. Get it checked before it becomes a bigger problem.