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Arthroscopy and Sport Injuries pp 77–81Cite as

Achilles Tendon Rupture

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Abstract

The Achilles tendon (AT) is the largest tendon in the human body, but it is also the one that frequently undergoes a complete subcutaneous tear. Men are more frequently affected than women, in particular between 30–40 years old. An AT tear is usually the end result of an asymptomatic process of failed heling typical of tendinopathy. The diagnosis of acute tear of the AT is clinical, based on careful history taking and detailed clinical examination. Operative management of acute AT ruptures provides lower re-rupture rate, early functional treatment, less calf atrophy, and better functional results, in particular in athletes. Minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair provides many advantages and should be considered in young and active patients. Simple parameters as single-legged concentric strengthening, range of motion, and calf circumference can be used to predict the ability to return to activity. On the basis of current evidence-based studies, the routine use of PRP to improve tendon AT healing is not recommended.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy

    Nicola Maffulli MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCS

  2. Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mary University of London, 275 Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, England, UK

    Nicola Maffulli MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCS

  3. Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, School of Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Viale Oxford 81, Rome, 00133, Italy

    Alessio Giai Via MD & Francesco Oliva MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Nicola Maffulli MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCS
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  2. Alessio Giai Via MD
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  3. Francesco Oliva MD, PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicola Maffulli MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCS .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Knee Orthopedics and Sport Traumatology Unit,, Humanitas Clinical Institute IRCCS, Milan, Italy

    Piero Volpi

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© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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Maffulli, N., Via, A.G., Oliva, F. (2016). Achilles Tendon Rupture. In: Volpi, P. (eds) Arthroscopy and Sport Injuries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14815-1_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-14815-1_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-14814-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-14815-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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