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DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2012.3913
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. BACKGROUND: The Achilles tendon is the most frequently ruptured tendon, with the incidence increasing in the last decades. The rupture generally occurs without any preceding warning signs and therefore pre-injury data are seldom available. This case represents a unique opportunity to compare pre-injury running mechanics with post-injury evaluation in a patient with an Achilles tendon rupture. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 23-year-old female sustained a right total Achilles tendon rupture while playing soccer. Running mechanics data were collected pre-injury, as she was a healthy participant in a study on running analysis. In addition, patient reported symptoms, physical activity level, strength, ankle range of motion, heel-rise ability, Achilles tendon length, and running kinetics were evaluated 1 year after surgical repair. OUTCOMES: During running greater ankle dorsiflexion and eversion and rearfoot abduction were noted on the involved side post injury when compared to pre-injury data. In addition, post-injury, the magnitude of all kinetics data were lower on the involved limb when compared to the uninvolved limb. The involved side displayed differences in strength, ankle range of motion, heel-rise, and tendon length when compared to the uninvolved side 1 year after injury. DISCUSSION: Despite a return to normal running routine and reports of only minor limitations with running, considerable changes were noted in running biomechanics 1 year after injury. Calf muscle weakness and Achilles tendon elongation were also found when comparing the involved and uninvolved side.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 25 January 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.3913
KEY WORDS: Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS), biomechanics, heel-rise test
This case represents a unique opportunity to compare pre-injury running mechanics with post-injury evaluation in a patient with an Achilles tendon rupture.
