All patients with badminton-related acute Achilles tendon ruptures reg
istered during 1990 to 1994 at the University Hospital of Umea were re
trospectively followed up using a questionnaire. Thirty-one patients (
mean age, 36.0 years), 27 men and 4 women, were included. Thirty patie
nts (97%) described themselves as recreational players or beginners. T
he majority of the injuries (29 of 31, 94%) happened at the middle or
end of the planned game. Previous local symptoms had been noticed by f
ive patients (16%). Long-term results showed that patients treated wit
h surgery had a significantly shorter sick leave absence than patients
treated without surgery (50 versus 75 days). There was no obvious sel
ection favoring any treatment modality. None of the surgically treated
patients had reruptures, but two reruptures occurred in the nonsurgic
ally treated group. There seemed to be fewer remaining symptoms and a
higher sports activity level after the injury in the surgically treate
d group. Our results indicate that local muscle fatigue may interfere
with strength and coordination. Preventive measures such as specific t
reatment of minor injuries and adequate training of strength, enduranc
e, and coordination are important. Our findings also indicate that sur
gical treatment and careful postoperative rehabilitation is of great i
mportance among badminton players of any age or sports level with Achi
lles tendon ruptures.