Thompson & Doherty (1962) describe the calf squeeze test for diagnosing Achilles tendon rupture, validated against 47 operative cases and cadaveric experiments. The question: can calf compression reliably detect complete rupture at the bedside, without imaging?
When you see a patient with posterior ankle pain, swelling, and difficulty walking after a push-off mechanism, perform the Thompson test immediately: prone patient, squeeze the mid-calf — absent plantar flexion means complete rupture until proven otherwise, regardless of what the X-ray shows or whether the patient can still weakly plantar flex actively.
Thompson & Doherty (1962) describe the calf squeeze test for diagnosing Achilles tendon rupture, validated against 47 operative cases and cadaveric experiments. The question: can calf compression reliably detect complete rupture at the bedside, without imaging?
When you see a patient with posterior ankle pain, swelling, and difficulty walking after a push-off mechanism, perform the Thompson test immediately: prone patient, squeeze the mid-calf — absent plantar flexion means complete rupture until proven otherwise, regardless of what the X-ray shows or whether the patient can still weakly plantar flex actively.