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Achilles tendon rupture and sciatica: a possible correlation

Maffulli, N., Irwin, A.S., Kenward, Michael G., Smith, F., Porter, Robert (1998) Achilles tendon rupture and sciatica: a possible correlation. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 32 (2). pp. 174-177. ISSN 0306-3674. (doi:10.1136/bjsm.32.2.174) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:17431)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.32.2.174

Abstract

The association between Achilles tendon rupture and sciatica was investigated by questionnaire in 138 patients who underwent repair of an Achilles tendon rupture, and in a group of individuals nominated by the patients, matched for age, sex, and occupation. A total of 102 patients (74%) and 128 peer nominated controls (71%) replied to the questionnaire. Of the 102 respondent patients, 18 had an office-based job, 47 were involved in skilled nonmanual work, and 16 were retired. Back pain had been experienced by 63 of the patients who replied to the questionnaire, and by 91 (75%) of the individuals in the control group (difference not significant). In about 30% of both groups, the pain confined them to bed for at least two days, and resulted in absence from work. Thirteen of the patients and 16 of the controls had undergone thoracic, lumbar, or sacral radiography. One individual in each group had received surgery for back pain. However, 35 of 102 patients had experienced sciatic pain before Achilles tendon rupture. Pain of a similar nature had been experienced by only 15 individuals in the control group (12%) (p < 0.001). Using this study design, we found a highly significant association between Achilles tendon rupture and sciatica. We propose that this association could be due to impaired afferent signals from the lower leg, or to similar collagen or vascular anomalies of the vertebral disc and the Achilles tendon.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1136/bjsm.32.2.174
Uncontrolled keywords: Achilles tendon; sciatica; back pain
Subjects: R Medicine
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: M.A. Ziai
Date Deposited: 03 Apr 2009 00:09 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:55 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/17431 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Kenward, Michael G..

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