Achilles tendon rupture

Revision as of 17:39, 29 December 2014 by Neil.m.young (talk | contribs)

Background

  • Most frequently ruptures 2-6cm above calcaneus (where blood supply is weakest)
  • Typical pt is 30-50yr old man who participates in strenuous activities on occasional basis
  • Quinolone associated rupture occurs in only 12 per 100,000 treatment episodes

DDX

Clinical Features

  • Sudden, severe pain
  • Inability to run, stand on toes, or climb stairs
  • Palpable gap in Achilles tendon 2-6cm proximal to calcaneus
  • Thompson test
    • Lay pt prone w/ knee bent at 90'
    • In normal pt, squeezing calf results in plantarflexion

Treatment

  • Short leg cast w/ ankle slightly plantarflexed
  • Ortho referral

Source

  • Tintinalli