Ruptured Achilles tendon

Last evidence check May 2014

us rupture

Ultrasound of acute Achilles rupture

Normally the diagnosis is on clinical grounds. Ultrasonography is useful to confirm the diagnosis if in doubt. It also allows assessment of apposition of the tendon ends if non-surgical treatment is intended. Hufner and Thermann (2006) emphasised ultrasonographic monitoring as an important safety measure in the functional non-surgical management of Achilles tendon rupture.

MR scanning also shows the anatomy well but probably does not add anything to the results of ultrasonography unless skill in the latter is not available.