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Achilles tendon ruptures

  • Foot and Ankle (SG Parekh, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The incidence of acute Achilles tendon ruptures is on the rise. This is thought to be due to the increasing number of middle-aged persons participating in athletic and/or strenuous activity. Ruptures of the Achilles tendon can be severely debilitating, with deficits seen years after the initial incident. Also, these injuries can have substantial socioeconomic impacts regardless of the treatment selected. Debate continues over the optimal treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures, especially the argument whether to treat patients nonoperatively or surgically. Newer evidence shows that functional rehabilitation, including early weight-bearing, should be an integral part of successful treatment of acute Achilles ruptures. Further research is needed to further investigate the ideal treatment and rehabilitation protocols.

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David Pedowitz declares that he has no conflicts of interest. Greg Kirwan declares that he has no conflicts of interest.

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Pedowitz, D., Kirwan, G. Achilles tendon ruptures. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 6, 285–293 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-013-9185-8

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