Achilles tendon rupture

Signs and symptoms

• Audible snap or pop during activity
• Sudden significant pain in calf or back of ankle
• Inability to walk or continue activity
• Unable to single leg heel raise
• Simmonds triad (altered angle of declination, palpable gap and positive squeeze/Thompson test)
• Palpable tendon gap (no gap may be felt in the acute phase due to haematoma or in the chronic phase due to organisation)
• Bruising may be seen.

Risk factors

• Trauma
• Antibiotic use (Fluroroquinolones, doxycycline. Tetracycline and macrolides)

Urgent fracture/soft tissue injury clinic or A&E referral.