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Predictors of primary Achilles tendon ruptures
Femke M A P Claessen1, Robert-Jan de Vos, Max Reijman
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|June 16, 2014
Summary
Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) risk is moderately linked to smaller tendon fibril size. Other potential risk factors, like obesity and certain medications, require more research for definitive conclusions.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- The Achilles tendon, crucial for mobility, experiences increasing rupture incidence.
- Understanding rupture predictors is vital for prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and summarize factors influencing Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) risk.
- Identify key determinants for ATR to inform clinical practice and future research.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search for determinants of ATR.
- Inclusion criteria: ATR outcome, statistical comparison with controls, minimum ten adult participants.
- Best-evidence synthesis of 31 studies, with quality assessment.
Main Results:
- Moderate evidence links decreased Achilles tendon fibril size to increased ATR risk.
- Only two of 31 included studies were high-quality.
- Limited evidence suggests other factors like increased body weight, corticosteroid/quinolone use, and urban living may influence ATR risk.
Conclusions:
- Decreased Achilles tendon fibril size is a moderately supported predictor of ATR.
- Several modifiable factors (obesity, medication, environment) show limited evidence for ATR risk.
- Further high-quality research is essential to validate ATR determinants.
