Abstract
PurposeAims of this study are to evaluate the current terminology and assess the influence of the latest proposals on the terminology used for Achilles tendon-related disorders in both daily practice and literature.Methods(1) All orthopedic surgeons experienced in the field of foot and ankle surgery of the Ankleplatform Study Group were invited to participate in this survey by email. They were requested to fill out a survey on terminology in six typical cases with Achilles tendon-related disorders. (2) A systematic literature search of Achilles tendon-related disorders was performed in eight foot and ankle journals in Medline, Embase (Classic) from 2000 to 2016. All extracted terms were counted and compared to the terminology proposals, based on anatomic location, symptoms, clinical findings and histopathology.Results(1) In total, 141 of the 283 (50%) orthopedic surgeons responded to the survey. In five out of six cases with Achilles tendon-related disorders, the majority gave an answer according to latest proposals. (2) An overview of terminology used for Achilles tendon-related disorders from 2000 to 2016 shows an increase in use of terminology according to the latest proposals based on anatomic location, symptoms, clinical findings and histopathology.ConclusionThe revised terminology for Achilles tendon-related disorders based on anatomic location, symptoms, clinical findings and histopathology is used by the majority of orthopedic surgeons and is increasingly used in the literature. However, the indistinct Haglund eponyms are still frequently used in Achilles tendon-related terminology.Level of evidenceLevel IV.
Highlights
Several Achilles tendon-related disorders can be distinguished and for each pathology different definitions and terms or eponyms arose over time
The revised terminology for Achilles tendon-related disorders based on anatomic location, symptoms, clinical findings and histopathology is used by the majority of orthopedic surgeons and is increasingly used in the literature
The indistinct Haglund eponyms are still frequently used in Achilles tendon-related terminology
Summary
Several Achilles tendon-related disorders can be distinguished and for each pathology different definitions and terms or eponyms arose over time. The terminology for Achilles tendon-related disorders is inconsistent and confusing [8, 17]. The term ‘achillodynia’ was introduced as a descriptive term for Achilles tendon-related pain [1]. Terms were based on histological findings and a subdivision was made into insertional and non-insertional Achilles tendon problems [7, 14, 16]. Maffulli et al [12] observed that terminology used for tendon conditions was misused and confusing. In their opinion definitions as tendinitis, tendinosis and
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