Spontaneous rupture of tendons in dialysis and renal transplant patients.

Over a 5-year period (1981-1985) five patients developed spontaneous ruptures of the Achilles tendon and two patients developed bilateral spontaneous ruptures of the quadriceps tendons in two renal units. None of these ruptures were caused by an accident and all patients recovered well following operation, or in the case of one patient after conservative management. The causative factors influencing the spontaneous ruptures of tendons in renal patients are discussed.