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Achilles tendon tear classification

Dr Yuranga Weerakkody and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

Achilles tendon tears may be grouped into 4 types ( according to severity of the tear and degree of retraction.

type I - partial ruptures <= 50%
- typically treated with conservative management
type II - complete rupture with tendinous gap <= 3 cm
- typically treated with end-end anastomosis
type III - complete rupture with tendinous gap 3 to 6 cm
- often requires tendon / synthetic graft
type IV - complete rupture with defect of > 6 cm (neglected ruptures)
- often requires tendon / synthetic graft and gastrocnemius recession

References

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1. Maffulli Nicola and Louis Almekinders. The Achilles Tendon. Springer, 2007. ISBN: 184628628X, 9781846286285.
2. MAFFULLI NICOLA. “Current Concepts Review - Rupture of the Achilles Tendon.” J Bone Joint Surg Am 81, no. 7 (July 1, 1999): 1019-36. [Link].