Presentation
Sudden, severe calf pain on "pushing off" at netball.
Patient Data
Marker has been placed on the site of the patient's pain.
Axial images: Tendon is swollen and contains abnormal T2 signal (arrow) in the position of the plantaris tendon.
Sagittal images: Discontinuity of the tendon (arrow) with surrounding soft tissue swelling.
This is in keeping with tendon rupture on the medial aspect of the Achilles - location of the plantaris tendon.
Case Discussion
Typical finding of discontinuity and surrounding soft tissue swelling in a tendon on the medial aspect of the Achilles.
Clinical differential is a tear at the musculotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius muscle (much more common). Plantaris tendon rupture is treated conservatively, unlike Achilles tendon rupture.