Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 6, Issue 7 351-362, Copyright © 1987 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Ultrasonography as a differential diagnostic aid in achillodynia
H. R. Laine, A. L. Harjula and P. Peltokallio
The purpose of the study was to investigate the usefulness of soft-tissue
real-time ultrasonography (US) for diagnosing sports injuries of the
Achilles region. Thirty-eight patients (mean age, 39.9 years) with Achilles
tendon problems were studied at Helsinki University Central Hospital. Six
patients underwent surgery following ultrasonographic examination. All
operative findings corresponded closely with those of ultrasonography.
Partial ruptures were found in 11 cases, total tendon rupture in three
cases, subachilles bursitis in 11 cases, and peritendinitis in 16 cases.
The study showed that real-time ultrasonography can be used reliably for
examination of both tendoneal and peritendoneal injuries. The technique is
recommended as a routine examination before instigating any specific
treatment and for monitoring Achilles tendon injuries.