91 Tercel rear Strut issue

I installed new rear struts recently(within 5k mi). Driving in Brooklyn, NY I hit a pothole & which caused the lft rear to fail. The rod on the top end is extended 8" up & the suspension is shot. Chilton seems to cover any other model type but this.is Anyone familiar with this model, is this a Strut Failure, of a vehicle part failure.