Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Case report

Bilateral spontaneous non-traumatic rupture of the Achilles tendon: a case report

Authors: Zubair Khanzada, Ulfin Rethnam, David Widdowson, Ahmed Mirza

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

We present an interesting case of spontaneous non-traumatic bilateral rupture of the Achilles tendons, which is a rare condition. Delayed or missed diagnosis of Achilles tendon ruptures by primary treating physicians is relatively common.

Case report

A 78-year-old Caucasian woman presented with spontaneous non-traumatic bilateral rupture of the Achilles tendons. Her symptoms started two days after she took ciprofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for a urinary tract infection and prednisolone 30 mg once daily for chronic obstructive airway disease.

Conclusion

This case report aims to increase the awareness of this rare condition, which should be borne in mind with regard to patients who are on steroid therapy and are concurrently started on fluoroquinolones.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Orava S, Hurme M, Leppilahti J: Bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: a report on two cases. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1996, 6: 309-312.CrossRefPubMed Orava S, Hurme M, Leppilahti J: Bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: a report on two cases. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1996, 6: 309-312.CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Lee WT, Collins JF: Ciprofloxacin associated bilateral Achilles tendon rupture. Aust N Z J Med. 1992, 22: 500.PubMed Lee WT, Collins JF: Ciprofloxacin associated bilateral Achilles tendon rupture. Aust N Z J Med. 1992, 22: 500.PubMed
3.
go back to reference Van der Linden PD, Sturkenboom MC, Herings RM, Leufkens HM, Rowlands S, Stricker BH: Increased risk of Achilles tendon rupture with quinolone antibacterial use, especially in elderly patients taking oral corticosteroids. Arch Intern Med. 2003, 163: 1801-1807. 10.1001/archinte.163.15.1801.CrossRefPubMed Van der Linden PD, Sturkenboom MC, Herings RM, Leufkens HM, Rowlands S, Stricker BH: Increased risk of Achilles tendon rupture with quinolone antibacterial use, especially in elderly patients taking oral corticosteroids. Arch Intern Med. 2003, 163: 1801-1807. 10.1001/archinte.163.15.1801.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Habusta SF: Bilateral simultaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon: a rare traumatic injury. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995, 320: 231-234.PubMed Habusta SF: Bilateral simultaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon: a rare traumatic injury. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995, 320: 231-234.PubMed
5.
go back to reference Inglis AE, Sculco TP: Surgical repair of rupture of the tendo Achillis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1981, 156: 160-169.PubMed Inglis AE, Sculco TP: Surgical repair of rupture of the tendo Achillis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1981, 156: 160-169.PubMed
6.
go back to reference Kelly M, Dodds M, Huntley JS, Robinson CM: Bilateral concurrent rupture of the Achilles tendon in the absence of risk factors. Hosp Med. 2004, 65: 310-311.CrossRefPubMed Kelly M, Dodds M, Huntley JS, Robinson CM: Bilateral concurrent rupture of the Achilles tendon in the absence of risk factors. Hosp Med. 2004, 65: 310-311.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Kotnis RA, Halstead JC, Hormbrey PJ: Atraumatic bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: an association of systemic steroid treatment. J Accid Emerg Med. 1999, 16: 378-379.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Kotnis RA, Halstead JC, Hormbrey PJ: Atraumatic bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: an association of systemic steroid treatment. J Accid Emerg Med. 1999, 16: 378-379.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Kowatari K, Nakashima K, Ono A, Yoshihara M, Amano M, Toh S: Levofloxacin-induced bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: a case report and review of the literature. J Orthop Sci. 2004, 9: 186-190. 10.1007/s00776-003-0761-4.CrossRefPubMed Kowatari K, Nakashima K, Ono A, Yoshihara M, Amano M, Toh S: Levofloxacin-induced bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: a case report and review of the literature. J Orthop Sci. 2004, 9: 186-190. 10.1007/s00776-003-0761-4.CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Poon CC, Sundaram NA: Spontaneous bilateral Achilles tendon rupture associated with ciprofloxacin. Med J Aust. 1997, 166: 665.PubMed Poon CC, Sundaram NA: Spontaneous bilateral Achilles tendon rupture associated with ciprofloxacin. Med J Aust. 1997, 166: 665.PubMed
10.
go back to reference Van der Linden PD, van Puijenbroek EP, Feenstra J, Veld BA, Sturkenboom MC, Herings RM, Leufkens HG, Stricker BH: Tendon disorders attributed to fluoroquinolones: a study on 42 spontaneous reports in the period 1988 to 1998. Arthritis Rheum. 2001, 45: 235-239. 10.1002/1529-0131(200106)45:3<235::AID-ART254>3.0.CO;2-7.CrossRefPubMed Van der Linden PD, van Puijenbroek EP, Feenstra J, Veld BA, Sturkenboom MC, Herings RM, Leufkens HG, Stricker BH: Tendon disorders attributed to fluoroquinolones: a study on 42 spontaneous reports in the period 1988 to 1998. Arthritis Rheum. 2001, 45: 235-239. 10.1002/1529-0131(200106)45:3<235::AID-ART254>3.0.CO;2-7.CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Simonin MA, Gegout-Pottie P, Minn A, Gillet P, Netter P, Terlain B: Pefloxacin-induced Achilles tendon toxicity in rodents: biochemical changes in proteoglycan synthesis and oxidative damage to collagen. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 44: 867-872. Simonin MA, Gegout-Pottie P, Minn A, Gillet P, Netter P, Terlain B: Pefloxacin-induced Achilles tendon toxicity in rodents: biochemical changes in proteoglycan synthesis and oxidative damage to collagen. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 44: 867-872.
12.
go back to reference Ribard P, Audisio F, Kahn MF, De Bandt M, Jorgensen C, Hayem G, Meyer O, Palazzo E: Seven Achilles tendinitis including 3 complicated by rupture during fluoroquinolone therapy. J Rheumatol. 19: 1479-1481. Ribard P, Audisio F, Kahn MF, De Bandt M, Jorgensen C, Hayem G, Meyer O, Palazzo E: Seven Achilles tendinitis including 3 complicated by rupture during fluoroquinolone therapy. J Rheumatol. 19: 1479-1481.
13.
go back to reference Kashida Y, Kato M: Characterization of fluoroquinolone-induced Achilles tendon toxicity in rats: comparison of toxicities of 10 fluoroquinolones and effects of anti-inflammatory compounds. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 41: 2389-2393. Kashida Y, Kato M: Characterization of fluoroquinolone-induced Achilles tendon toxicity in rats: comparison of toxicities of 10 fluoroquinolones and effects of anti-inflammatory compounds. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 41: 2389-2393.
14.
go back to reference Casparian JM, Luchi M, Moffat RE, Hinthorn D: Quinolones and tendon ruptures. South Med J. 93: 488-491. Casparian JM, Luchi M, Moffat RE, Hinthorn D: Quinolones and tendon ruptures. South Med J. 93: 488-491.
Metadata
Title
Bilateral spontaneous non-traumatic rupture of the Achilles tendon: a case report
Authors
Zubair Khanzada
Ulfin Rethnam
David Widdowson
Ahmed Mirza
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-5-263

Other articles of this Issue 1/2011

Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2011 Go to the issue