Overuse injuries of the Achilles tendon.

TLDR

Acute and subacute Achilles tendon overuse injuries are usually successfully treated with conservative measures. The study examined 4,020 athletes (73 % male, 27 % female) treated between 1986‑1989, identifying 273 athletes with 330 instances of Achilles tendon overuse. The most common diagnoses were peritendinitis, tendinitis, partial rupture, retrocalcaneal bursitis, and insertional tendinitis; 45.5 % progressed to chronic injury, and surgical treatment yielded excellent or good outcomes in 86 % of chronic cases, with overall good results in 69.3 % of patients.

Abstract

Among the 4,020 athletes (males 73%, females 27%) treated at the Department of Sports Medicine of the Deaconess Institute, Oulu, Finland in the period 1986-1989 there were 273 athletes with 330 of instances Achilles tendon overuse. Peritendinitis, tendinitis, partial rupture, retrocalcanear bursitis and insertiotendinitis were the most common diagnoses. Acute and subacute ailments were usually treated successfully by conservative means. 45.5% of the overuse injuries became chronic, failed to respond to conservative treatment and were treated surgically. The results were excellent or good in 86% of those operated on for chronic peritendinitis. The overall results were good in 69.3% of the patients.