[Ultrasound sonography in the diagnosis and follow-up of Achilles tendon rupture].

In addition to allowing definite diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture and localization of the rupture site, ultrasonography also enables the examiner to grade the rupture and the course of healing for quantity and quality. Twenty patients with subcutaneous achilles tendon rupture were examined in a prospective study that is still in progress. In this trial an operative and a conservative-functional treatment with a newly developed shoe were compared. The dynamic examination revealed adaptation of the tendon in plantar flexion in two-thirds of the patients. After 2 weeks continuity of the tendon was restored in all patients. A remarkable increase in the regeneration of the tendon at the rupture or suture site was observed from the 4th to the 12th week. The variations in tendon structure were assessed, and a classification is presented.