Achilles tendon: US diagnosis of pathologic conditions. Work in progress.

Abstract

Twenty-three patients were prospectively examined with ultrasound (US) for acute or recurrent Achilles tendon symptoms. Three types of pathologic conditions of the Achilles tendon were found: tendinitis/tenosynovitis, acute tendon trauma, and postoperative changes. US appears to enable differentiation of these conditions and to contribute to the diagnosis of a broad range of Achilles tendon disorders.

Soft-Tissue Radiography, Computed Tomography, and Ultrasonography of Partial Achilles Tendon Ruptures

“…This result supports previous findings (6,13,17). The findings presented by BLEI et al (2) that sonolucent areas within the tendon represent tendinitis or tenosynovitis, could not be confirmed in this study. The findings might represent partial ruptures since no surgical correlation was available.…”

The ultrasonographic appearance of the ruptured Achilles tendon during healing: a longitudinal evaluation of surgical and nonsurgical treatment, with comparisons to MRI appearance

“…In the surgically group all seven patients had a decreasing number of positive findings. After 6 months the median value was 5 (range 4-6), and after 12 months it was 3 (range (1)(2)(3)(4)(5).…”

Distribution of sonographically detected tendon abnormalities in patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic Achilles tendinosis

“…Achilles tendinitis was relatively rarely diagnosed until the 1950s. 3 However the increased participation in sports and possibly changes in footwear design. 4,5 have significantly increased the incidence of Achilles tendinopathy.…”

“…2,5,[7][8][9] The Achilles tendon can be readily examined by sonography because of its superficial position. 3,[10][11][12][13][14] A study of the pathologic processes involved in posterior heel pain is almost impossible unless an accurate diagnosis is made first.…”