| Print Date: | June 19, 2013, 9:50 am |
| Title | achilles tendon tear |
| Text | The Achilles tendon is the most commonly torn tendon in the foot/ankle. The injury occurs during forceful dorsiflexion. It occurs most commonly in men, and increases in frequency with advancing age. Clinical history and physical examination usually suffice to make the diagnosis, but imaging can confirm the diagnosis in challenging cases.
On lateral radiographs, inflammation can be seen posterior to the ankle. In complete tear of the tendon, a soft tissue mass, representing the distal avulsed tendon, may be seen posterior to the ankle. In partial tears, the width of the tendon, which usually measures 7 mm, may be noticeably narrowed. Disruption of the tendon on MRI indicates Achilles tendon tear, and increased signal within an intact tendon represents intrasubstance tear |
| References: | Greenspan, A. Orthopedic Radiology: A Practical Approach, 3rd edition. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2000. Pages 312-315. |
| Contributor | Aaron M Taylor (National Capital Consortium) |
| Peer Reviewer | Philip A Dinauer (Civilian Medical Center) |
| Record Number | : 3631 |
| Created | 2002-02-07 22:51:29-05 |
| Modified | 2002-04-30 23:10:31-04 |
| Category: | Trauma |
| Location: | MSK - Musculoskeletal |
| Sublocation: | Ankle |
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