Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture A Critical Analysis Review

On physical examination, the Thompson test is the most sensitive evaluation for diagnosing acute Achilles tendon ruptures; palpation of a gap is less sensitive. A heightened level of suspicion for this injury is necessary for patients older than fifty-five years of age, obese patients, and those injured during non-sports activities. Functional rehabilitation protocols have decreased the rerupture rate historically seen with nonoperative management of acute Achilles ruptures. Operative treatment may provide some functional benefits, but recent studies suggest that many of these benefits are transient or subtle. The role of tendon gaps that persist despite ankle plantar flexion, and the impact of such gaps on clinical outcomes, remain unclear. The rate of deep vein thrombosis after Achilles tendon rupture may be higher than that observed in many other foot and ankle conditions, but the majority of thrombotic events are unlikely to be clinically important. An age greater than forty years and an inability to mobilize may increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis.