title: The epidemiology of Achilles tendon rupture in a Danish county.
abstract: The epidemiology of Achilles tendon ruptures was examined during the 13-year period 1984-1996 in a Danish county. Five hospitals, serving a population of 220,000 cooperated. There were 718 ruptures, 544 men (75.8%) and 174 women (24.2%). The male to female ratio was 3:1. The average age was 42.1 years (3-82) and 62% were between 30-49 years. 74.2% of the ruptures were sport-related and 89% of these occurred in ball and racket games. The annual incidence of achilles tendon ruptures increased from 18.2/10(5) inhabitants in 1984 to 37.3/10(5) in 1996. The peak incidence in sport-related ruptures occurred in the age group 30-49 years, but ruptures not related to sport occurred in older patients with a peak incidence in those 50-59 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery T, Esbjerg County Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Houshian
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tscherning
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Riegels-Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017678:Sex Distribution