EastMed Radiology For Achilles Tendon Ultrasounds

What happens if Achilles tendonitis goes untreated? If the tendon becomes swollen or irritated due to overuse, it can lead to the painful condition called Achilles tendonitis. If Achilles tendonitis goes untreated, it can become a chronic (ongoing) condition that makes just walking around almost impossible.

The main disorders affecting the Achilles include injury and degenerative processes. The Achilles tendon is vulnerable to tendonitis, tear, and rupture. Microtears, which may be caused by acute injury or by chronic strain, produce pain and swelling. If the tendon is completely torn, or ruptured, use of the leg for running and jumping is lost for an extended period of time. Tendon ruptures frequently require surgery and immobolization of the ankle for weeks or months. Tendonitis is characterized by inflammation of the tendon, with stiffness and pain. Healing is possible after weeks of rest from physical activity.

Sonography is an efficient and accurate way to assess the Achilles tendon, and the advantages of sonographic evaluation include cost, widely available equipment, ease of contralateral comparison, and the ability to image during joint motion.

Dynamic imaging is important in evaluation of Achilles tendon tears since hemorrhage, fluid, debris, or scar tissue may fill the gap between torn tendon ends. With passive movement of the foot or by gently squeezing the calf muscles (Thompson test), the gap between the torn tendon ends becomes more obvious as one tendon end moves without translation of movement to the other tendon end.

The tendon is named after the ancient Greek mythological figure Achilles because it lies at the only part of his body that was still vulnerable after his mother had dipped him (holding him by the heel) into the River Styx.

EastMed radiology offer a comprehensive range of ultrasound examinations with state-of-the-art equipment, and their experienced specialists use ultrasound machines, equipped with cutting edge technology that provides a very high level of imaging performance, so for more information on radiology Auckland, Auckland x-ray, ultrasound scans please go to http://eastmedradiology.co.nz .