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Thompson's Test

Aka: Thompson's Test, Thompson Test

Indications
1. Heel Pain suggestive of Achilles Tendon Rupture
Technique
1. Patient lies prone with knee flexed at 90 degrees
2. Examiner squeezes calf
3. Observe for plantar flexion of foot
Interpretation
1. Normal Response: Plantar flexion as reflex response
  1. Falsely normal if accessory muscles squeezed
2. Achilles Tendon Rupture: Plantar flexion absent
Confirmatory Test (if Thompson Test equivocal)
1. Patients foot allowed to rest
2. Sphygmomanometer applied to affected calf
3. Inflate sphygmomanometer to 100 mmHg
4. Dorsiflex foot and observe pressure gauge
  1. Normal response: Pressure rises and stays at 140 mmHg
  2. Achilles Tendon Rupture: Only flicker of movement
References
1. Greene (2001) Musculoskeletal Care p.420-1
2. Mazzone (2002) Am Fam Physician 65(9):1805-10

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 10/21/2007 and last published on 5/14/2013.

This is one of 5887 pages in the Family Practice Notebook