title: Acute and chronic Achilles tendon ruptures in athletes.
abstract: The Achilles tendon is the most injured tendon of athletes in the lower extremities and is the most common tendon to rupture spontaneously. Operative repair provides earlier return to sporting activities and lesser rate of rerupture. The general goal is to attempt anastomosis of the acute ruptured ends; however, delayed ruptures may require more extensive procedures. New surgical approaches, including percutaneous and mini-open techniques, are being introduced to potentially diminish perioperative complications. Advent of early protective range of motion and rehabilitation has shown a potential for earlier return to sporting activities for Achilles ruptures.
authors.affiliation: University Foot and Ankle Institute, 1101 Sepulveda Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA, USA. jonathan.thompson@va.gov
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Baravarian
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D000208:Acute Disease; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D008297:Male; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012421:Rupture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome