The Achilles tendon: Management of acute and chronic conditions

The prevalence of acute and chronic conditions of the Achilles tendon is increasing among an ageing, active population. These conditions are a common cause of presentation to general practitioners and allied health practitioners. Achilles tendon injuries have a bimodal demographical presentation, with acute injuries commonly occurring in younger people and chronic conditions presenting in patients who are elderly.

The aims of this article are to discuss management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures in the primary care setting, explain the risks associated with calcaneal tuberosity fracture and discuss non-operative and surgical management of acute and chronic overload conditions of the Achilles tendon.

Achilles tendon injuries can be divided into acute ruptures and chronic overuse injuries. Both can be debilitating, with significant morbidity for patients; fortunately, both types of injuries respond well to non-operative interventions, with only a small proportion requiring surgery. Management of acute Achilles tendon rupture has evolved, with increasing evidence that non-operative management is appropriate providing patients participate in a functional rehabilitation protocol. Chronic conditions such as the sequalae of an untreated rupture or Achilles tendinopathy can be debilitating but often respond well to non-operative management.