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Achilles tendon injury

Case contributed by Maulik S Patel
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

About 5 weeks before the presentation, the patient had a laceration in the right Achilles tendon region due to a kite thread. The patient presented with local pain and swelling.

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Male
ultrasound

About 30 mm proximal to the insertion, the posterior one half-thickness of the Achilles tendon shows thickening and hypoechoic echo pattern. There are anechoic clefts in the tendon substance which also extend to the overlying subcutaneous fat. The axial images show the involvement of the full width of the tendon. Affected tendon segment shows a local hypervascularity. Anterior one half-thickness of the tendon reveals a normal echopattern. Local skin is intact due to healing.

The Achilles tendon distal to the injury shows a normal echo pattern without any changes of tendinosis.

Case Discussion

Findings of partial thickness, full-width tear involving Achilles tendon; by laceration caused by kite thread. There is no background of tendinosis.

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