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Achilles tendon lesions in sport
1Bon Secours Hospital, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England.
Sports Medicine (Auckland, N.Z.)
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Achilles tendon pain, or achillodynia, causes significant disability in athletes. Recent advances in imaging and conservative management offer hope, but effective prevention and treatment methods for Achilles tendon lesions remain largely unsolved.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Achillodynia (Achilles tendon pain) is a common cause of athletic disability.
- Existing literature since 1986 covers biomechanics, pathology, clinical presentation, and treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review English-language papers on achillodynia published since 1986.
- To identify advances and remaining challenges in the management of Achilles tendon pain in athletes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of English-language literature.
- Categorization of papers into subject areas: biomechanics, pathology, clinical presentations, experimental treatments, steroids, podiatry, and surgery.
Main Results:
- No single breakthrough, but notable progress in imaging techniques and conservative management strategies.
- Continued challenges in developing universally effective prevention and conservative treatment protocols for Achilles tendon injuries.
Conclusions:
- Advances in imaging and conservative care for Achilles tendon pain are promising.
- Further research is needed to address unsolved problems in prevention and treatment of Achilles tendon lesions in athletes.