Tests - Achilles tendon rupture is often misdiagnosed as a muscular strain. A thorough examination of Achilles tendon by a physiotherapist is necessary to diagnose Achilles tendon rupture. Doctor inspects your lower leg for swelling and tenderness.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures for Achilles Tendon Rupture
New York (USA), June 18, 2013
Achilles Tendon Rupture: Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
A complete and thorough examination of Achilles tendon by a physiotherapist is necessary to diagnose Achilles tendon rupture. Doctor inspects your lower leg for swelling and tenderness. If there is a gap in tendon, it is a complete rupture. Ultrasound or MRI scan is sometimes advised, although not necessary.
Physical Examination and Tests
Thompson Test (Simmonds’ Test): You lie with face down on examination table with feet hanging loose. Doctor squeezes calf muscle of affected leg. If there is no foot movement, your Achilles tendon is ruptured. If there is no rupture, squeezing of calf muscle causes movement in leg and foot. This test separates calf muscle and tendon to detect how well they function together. It also does away with the possibility of other tendons helping in foot movement.
Hyperdorsiflexion Test: You lie face down. When both knees are flexed to a right angle individually, maximal passive dorsiflexion of both feet may reveal excessive dorsiflexion in affected leg.
O’Brien Needle Test: Doctor inserts a needle just above the heel bone. If needle moves opposite to tendon but in same direction as toes when foot is moved up and down, it is a case of tendon rupture although only partial.
Ultrasound Test: A doctor passes sound waves of high frequencies through your body. Some sound images of bones and tissue are reflected back and computed into an image. These images trace tendon movement and detect any tears or injuries. This is a very dependable test and is not expensive.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This test distinguishes partial and complete Achilles tendon rupture. Numerous protons passing through your body are aligned through a strong magnetic field. Radio waves disrupt these protons momentarily. Thereafter protons come together to form their own alignment. Cross-sectional images of these alignments reveal disruptions in affected region.
Achilles tendon rupture is often misdiagnosed as a muscular strain. Poor ability to point your toes or continued swelling further complicate the diagnosis. In such doubtful cases, MRI or ultrasound becomes necessary.
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