Complete Achilles tendon rupture after local infiltration of corticosteroids in the treatment of deep retrocalcaneal bursitis

Complete rupture of the Achilles tendon is relatively rare, but it is an injury of considerable clinical relevance. A common cause of non-traumatic tendon rupture is local corticosteroid infiltration. Corticosteroid injections may start a degenerative process resulting in partial rupture and subsequent complete rupture of the tendon due to a direct toxic effect, because corticosteroids inhibit production of extracellular matrix collagen and also because of poor local vascularization. This paper describes the case of a patient who presented with complete rupture of the Achilles tendon shortly after administration of local corticosteroid injections in the treatment of deep retrocalcaneal bursitis. This confirms that corticosteroid treatment which is not correctly and accurately administered may be a factor contributing to major injury. It demonstrates that the physician must take all necessary precautions when administering corticosteroid infiltration. It is particularly important that corticosteroid injection is performed under ultrasound guidance which permits visualization of the needle tip and therefore exact identification of the injection site. © 2014 Società Italiana di Ultrasonologia in Medicina e Biologia (SIUMB).