Achilles Tendon Injuries Differential Diagnoses

Updated: Sep 15, 2022
  • Author: Anthony J Saglimbeni, MD; Chief Editor: Dean H Hommer, MD  more...
  • Print
DDx

Diagnostic Considerations

Differential diagnosis of Achilles tendinosis includes the following:

  • Achilles bursitis (ie, pump bump)

  • Ankle osteoarthritis

  • Calf injuries and syndromes

  • Fascial tears

  • Gastrocsoleus muscle strain or rupture: Usually a tear of the medial head of the gastrocnemius

  • Haglund deformity (pump bump)

  • Inflammatory arthropathies (eg, Reiter syndrome, psoriatic arthritis)

  • Partial Achilles tendon rupture

  • Ruptured Baker cyst

  • Syndesmosis

  • Tendinous xanthomas (eg, hyperbetalipoproteinemia, hyperlipoproteinemias)

  • Tennis leg (tear of the plantaris tendon)

  • Vascular injuries

Differential Diagnoses