Chronic Achilles Tendon Disorders: Tendinopathy and Chronic Rupture

Clin Sports Med. 2015 Oct;34(4):607-24. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2015.06.010. Epub 2015 Jul 31.

Abstract

Tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon involves clinical conditions in and around the tendon and it is the result of a failure of a chronic healing response. Although several conservative therapeutic options have been proposed, few of them are supported by randomized controlled trials. The management is primarily conservative and many patients respond well to conservative measures. If clinical conditions do not improve after 6 months of conservative management, surgery is recommended. The management of chronic ruptures is different from that of acute ruptures. The optimal surgical procedure is still debated. In this article chronic Achilles tendon disorders are debated and evidence-based medicine treatment strategies are discussed.

Keywords: Achilles tendinopathy; Chronic Achilles tendon rupture; Mini-invasive surgery; Neglected ruptures.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Achilles Tendon / injuries*
  • Achilles Tendon / surgery
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis
  • Athletic Injuries / surgery
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Pain / etiology
  • Postoperative Care
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Rupture / surgery
  • Rupture / therapy
  • Tendinopathy / diagnosis
  • Tendinopathy / surgery
  • Tendinopathy / therapy*
  • Tendon Transfer
  • Tendons / transplantation
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Treatment Outcome