Understanding Ruptured Achilles Tendon Symptoms and Diagnosis

A young man experiences severe pain and has an edematous, discolored area around his ankle. What is the diagnosis if he cannot plantar flex his foot?

• A. Fractured ankle
• B. Ruptured Achilles tendon
• C. Ankle sprain
• D. Distracted ankle

Answer: (B)

The presentation of severe pain, edema, discoloration around the ankle, and the inability to plantar flex the foot strongly suggests a ruptured Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is crucial for the patellar tendon, as it allows for the primary movements associated with plantar flexion—raising the heel off the ground and contributing to walking and running. When this tendon is ruptured, individuals typically experience a sudden, sharp pain in the back of the ankle, followed by significant swelling and bruising. The inability to plantar flex the foot is a hallmark sign, as the muscles responsible for this action (the gastrocnemius and soleus) are no longer able to effectively pull on the Achilles tendon. Other conditions, such as a fractured ankle or an ankle sprain, can lead to swelling and pain as well, but these would not typically result in an absolute inability to plantar flex the foot. Instead, a fractured ankle might present with acute pain localized to the bone area, and an ankle sprain would generally allow for some range of motion despite pain. The term “distracted ankle” does not correlate with typical orthopedic terminology and is unlikely to be the correct answer. Thus, the combination of symptoms and functional loss points directly to a rupt

When it comes to diagnosing orthopedic injuries, understanding symptoms is crucial for surgical assistants. One example that frequently pops up in clinical discussions is the ruptured Achilles tendon. A young man feeling severe pain with swelling and discoloration around his ankle—and, crucially, unable to plantar flex his foot—faces a potentially serious diagnosis. But why is this injury such a game-changer?

Let’s backtrack a bit. The Achilles tendon, a key player in our mobility game, links our calf muscles to the heel. When it gets ruptured, it’s as if someone yanked the proverbial rug from under our feet. Patients typically experience that shockingly sharp pain in the back of the ankle, followed by swelling and a striking discoloration. Ouch! Imagine trying to stand on your toes after that—it’s not happening.

So, what exactly does the inability to plantar flex tell us? Well, it indicates that the muscles responsible for that movement—namely the gastrocnemius and soleus—are out of commission. If you think about how we walk and run, it’s clear how vital that movement is. Sure, ankle fractures and sprains can also cause swelling and pain, but they won’t usually leave you completely unable to push off the ground. An ankle fracture might hurt in a localized bone area, and while sprains can be nasty, they often still allow for some movement.

Now, what about this term “distracted ankle”? Honestly, it sounds more like something from a funky sports injury report than proper terminology. Most orthopedic textbooks wouldn’t even consider it—so let’s take that off the table.

In summary, understanding the interplay between symptoms, movement restrictions, and specific diagnoses like a ruptured Achilles tendon is crucial not just for students gearing up for the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) exam, but also for anyone involved in patient care. Each symptom tells a story, and as future surgical assistants, you’ll need to piece those stories together accurately to provide the very best care. Just like the old saying goes, “a stitch in time saves nine”—or in this case, a timely diagnosis might be the saving grace for a patient’s mobility.