[The approach to Achilles tendinopathies in athletes. Echographic aspects]

The recent great diffusion of sports has significantly increased the traumatic pathology of Achilles tendon. Owing to the importance of a correct diagnosis and prognosis and of an adequate therapy (especially for professionals), a clinical and radiological study has been performed. Echotomography has been associated with xeroradiography in 185 athletes with painful symptoms; among these 79 were normal while 106 showed various types of tendinopathies. The main results can be summarized; peritendinitis: non uniform thickening; hyperechogenicity of Kager's triangle; insertional tendinopathies: thickening; calcifications; tendinosis: thickening; degeneration nodules; tendinous ruptures: rough contours of the rupture; degeneration nodules. The good echotomographic results allowed a correct diagnosis in about 85% of the 39 surgically treated patients.