ACUTE ACHILLES-TENDON RUPTURE IN BADMINTON PLAYERS

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.