Achilles tendon rupture: diagnosis & treatment

Tendinopathy and rupture are the two most common pathologies involving the Achilles tendon.

Patients with tendinopathy typically describe a gradual onset of pain, while ruptures are associated with an acute event.

Objectives of this course:

• Understand the typical history associated with Achilles tendon ruptures.
• Be able to conduct the clinical examination needed to diagnose an Achilles tendon rupture.
• Have an awareness of the limitations of the radiological studies that can be used to assist diagnosing this injury and be able to order these appropriately (where needed).
• Have an understanding of the different treatment options and be able to council a patient appropriately about them.
• Be able to manage an Achilles tendon rupture non-surgically.
• Understand the indications for referral for an orthopaedic assessment.

Acknowledgements

This content was created by Dr Helen Joyce Fulcher MBChB, DipPaed, PGCertHSc(Sports Med).