Achilles tendon ossification: pathology, imaging and aetiology.
BACKGROUND
We report a patient with ossification of the Achilles tendon, presenting plain radiographs, ultrasound, power doppler, computed tomography and magnetic resonance findings. The majority of the tendon was ossified, and there was adjacent soft tissue oedema. The appearance of peritendinous oedema associated with ossification has not, to our knowledge, been reported in the literature, and could account for hindfoot pain in cases of tendon ossification.


METHODS
A review of 44 articles on aetiology, histology and imaging was performed.


RESULTS
Trauma, either accidental or from surgery, rather than tendinopathy is the likely aetiological factor.


CONCLUSIONS
The Achilles tendon usually responds to an insult with the development of mature bone, not dystrophic calcification, with no evidence of inflammatory or degenerative changes.
Richards
Paula J
PJ
Department of Radiology, The University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Keele University, Stoke on Trent, UK. paula.richards@uhns.nhs.uk
Braid
Jennifer C
JC
Carmont
Michael R
MR
Maffulli
Nicola
N
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000473:pathology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*