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