OBJECTIVE To measure the biomechanical effects of immobilization on the Achilles' tendon. DESIGN Experimental, controlled study. SETTING Physiatry research laboratory. ANIMALS Twenty adult rabbits. INTERVENTION One hindlimb immobilized in a cast for 4 weeks (n=10) or 8 weeks (n=10). The contralateral legs (n=20) served as controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cross-sectional Achilles' tendo...

Acute Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most common tendon injuries in adults. We hypothesized that Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) can be used as biological augmentation for surgical treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Our study is a prospective randomized controlled trial. Patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture undergoing surgical repair were randomly assigned into either control ...

Various methods have been used to treat the acute Achilles tendon rupture. Traditional open repair is associated with a higher rate of complications. Percutaneous methods avoid most of the disadvantages of open surgical treatment, but the degree of tendon regeneration cannot be ensured. The authors prospectively followed 40 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture who underwent percutaneous ...

Purpose. This work introduces a distinct sonographic classification of Achilles tendon ruptures which has proven itself to be a reliable instrument for an individualized and differentiated therapy selection for patients who have suffered an Achilles tendon rupture. Materials and Methods. From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005, 273 patients who suffered from a complete subcutaneous rupture of...

668 British Journal of General Practice, December 2015 IntroduCtIon Over recent months, the authors of this paper have seen an increase in the number of patients with a delayed or missed diagnosis of ruptured Achilles tendon presenting to their orthopaedic clinics. Many subscribe to the view that any delay in diagnosis of more than 24 hours is a relative indication for surgery. In a recent revi...

Bilateral spontaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon is a rare occurrence with few case reports in the literature. Despite being one of the strongest tendons in the lower limb, it is the most common one ruptured. Majority of Achilles tendon ruptures are unilateral. We present a case of surgically treated chronic bilateral Achilles tendon rupture in a 42-year-old patient without associated risk ...

A case of bilateral Achilles tendon rupture associated with steroid use is reported. This case illustrates the importance of taking a thorough drug history in cases of tendon rupture. In lower limb tendon rupture all patients, especially those on steroids, should be warned of the increased risk of contralateral injury.

The Swansea Morriston Achilles Rupture Treatment (SMART) programme was introduced in 2008. This paper summarises the outcome of this programme. Patients with a rupture of the Achilles tendon treated in our unit follow a comprehensive management protocol that includes a dedicated Achilles clinic, ultrasound examination, the use of functional orthoses, early weight-bearing, an accelerated exercis...

Achilles tendon pain or rupture after fluoroquionolone treatment has been described as an uncommon adverse effect. We report two patients with ciprofloxacin-associated Achilles tendon disease, one with histopathological examination. Microscopic evaluation showed irregular collagen fiber arrangement, hypercellularity, and increased interfibrillar glycosaminoglycans. These pathological features a...

Tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rare complication that appears to occur in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy. A case is presented with sequential bilateral rupture of Achilles tendon and unilateral rupture of a patellar tendon. Six more published cases are reviewed. Tendon rupture in SLE has affected both males and females between the ages of 24 and 63 years. I...