Ruptures of large tendons. Medical appraisal

In most instances, ruptures of large tendons are caused by degenerative alterations. Traumatic ruptures are comparatively rare. Criteria for determining the cause of such ruptures are discussed. Definitions of causality apply to German statutory accident insurance (worker's compensation) on the one hand and to private accident insurance on the other. In the legal setting of German statutory accident insurance (worker's compensation), ruptures of tendons which occur during physiologic stress on the tendon such as undisturbed planned arbitrary movements are not considered traumatic. Traumatic ruptures of tendons can be caused by sharp or blunt direct force or by indirect force which leads to unforeseen sudden passive movements of joints stabilized by muscle.