Achilles Tendon Disorders: Etiology and Epidemiology
Section snippets
Epidemiology of Achilles tendinopathy
Many terms have been used to describe (Achilles) tendon disorders. Because of the highly confusing terminology for (Achilles) tendon disorders, it recently was recommended that the clinical syndrome—characterized by a combination of pain and swelling (diffuse or localized) in and around the Achilles tendon, accompanied by impaired performance—should be called Achilles tendinopathy [7], [8]. Based on histopathologic findings, tendinopathy can be divided into peritendinitis and tendinosis (tendon
Epidemiology
Although the incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures is difficult to determine accurately, it is generally agreed that the incidence has increased in the industrialized countries in recent decades [1], [2], [32], [33], [34], [35]. The incidence of ruptures of the Achilles tendon in the city of Oulu, Finland was approximately 18 per 100,000 in 1994 [32], 6 per 100,000 in Scotland in 1994 [33], 37.3 per 100,000 in Denmark (a single county of 220,000 inhabitants) [34], and 17.9 per 100,000 in a
Summary
The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body. The number and incidence of Achilles tendon overuse injuries and complete, spontaneous ruptures have increased in the industrialized countries during the last decades because of the increased participation in sports.
The most common clinical diagnosis of Achilles overuse injuries is tendinopathy, which is characterized by a combination of pain and swelling in the Achilles tendon accompanied by impaired ability to perform strenuous
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by grants from the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Helsinki, Finland; Tampere University Hospital Research Fund; the Research Council for Physical Education and Sport Ministry of Education, Finland; and the AO Foundation, Switzerland.
References (55)
- et al.
Overuse tendon conditions: time to change a confusing terminology
Arthroscopy
(1998) Epidemiology of tendon injuries in sports
Clin Sports Med
(1992)- et al.
The epidemiology of Achilles tendon rupture in a Danish county
Injury
(1998) - et al.
Collagen fibers of the ruptured human tendons display decreased thickness and crimp angle
J Orthop Res
(2004) - et al.
Levofloxacin-induced bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: a case report and review of the literature
J Orthop Sci
(2004) - et al.
Tendon healing: adverse role of steroid injection—myth or reality
Foot Ankle Clin
(2002) - et al.
ABO blood groups and musculoskeletal injuries
Injury
(1992) - et al.
Human tendons: anatomy, physiology, and pathology
(1997) Rupture of the Achilles tendon
J Bone Joint Surg
(1999)- et al.
Achilles tendinopathy
J Bone Joint Surg
(2002)
Tendinopathy of tendo Achillis
J Bone Joint Surg
Achilles tendon injuries in athletes
Sports Med
Histopathological changes preceding spontaneous rupture of a tendon. A controlled study of 891 patients
J Bone Joint Surg
Time to abandon the “tendinitis” myth
BMJ
Achilles tendon injuries in athletes
Ann Chir Gynaecol
Overuse injuries of the Achilles tendon
Ann Chir Gynaecol
Injuries in elite orienteers
Am J Sports Med
Injuries in runners
Am J Sports Med
Painful conditions in the Achilles tendon region in elite badminton players
Am J Sports Med
Painful conditions in the Achilles tendon region: a common problem in middle-aged competitive badminton players
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc
Surgical treatment of overuse injuries to the Achilles tendon
Clin J Sport Med
Lower leg overuse injuries in athletes
Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc
Heart attacks and lower-limb function in master endurance athletes
Med Sci Sports Exerc
Sports injuries in elderly athlete: a three-year prospective, controlled study
Age Ageing
Long-term prognosis of patients with Achilles tendinopathy. An observational 8-year follow-up study
Am J Sports Med
Etiology and pathophysiology of chronic tendon disorders in sports
Scand J Sports Med
Achilles tendon injuries
Curr Opin Rheumatol
Cited by (409)
Current concept review of Achilles tendinopathy
2024, Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and TraumaManagement of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures
2024, Orthopaedics and TraumaCurrent Concepts in Achilles Tendon Ruptures
2024, Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and SurgeryPutting the fear-avoidance model into practice – what can patients with chronic low back pain learn from patients with Achilles tendinopathy and vice versa?
2023, Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy