Endocrine Abstracts

Diabetes is one of the risk factors for Achilles tendon rupture. Tendon thickening and impaired collagen organization have been reported in diabetic patients in small studies. In this report, we present the rupture of the Achilles tendon in a female patient with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and diabetic neuropathy. A 52-years-old woman with a medical history of diabetes treated by intensive insulin therapy, developed pain in the right heel without previous trauma. The patient applied to the hospital because of the inability to walk for the last 5 days. Spontaneous rupture of the right Achilles tendon was diagnosed with MRI. Primary repair of achilles tendon planned. Diabetic ketosis treatment was performed due to preoperative blood sugar being 550 mg/dl and urine ketone positive. Afterwards, the tendon was treated by suture. Chronic hyperglycemia affects the Achilles tendon as well as many organs. Degenerative changes were more common in men and those with peripheral neuropathy. Although the risk of Achilles tendon rupture was more common in those with uncontrolled diabetes and female gender. Systemic approach is important in the follow-up of diabetic patients and heel pain should be evaluated in terms of Achilles tendon rupture, apart from diabetic neuropathy and diabetic foot.