Achilles tendon rupture in camel (Camelus dromedarius): Radiographic and Ultrasonographic findings

This study describes the clinical presentation of Achilles tendon rupture andevaluates the utility of radiography and ultrasonography in the diagnosis ofsuch disorder in dromedary camels. Seventeen camels were included in thisstudy based on the clinical, radiographic and ultrasonographic evidence ofAchilles tendon rupture. The clinical, radiographic and sonographic findings ofstudied camels differ according to the type, duration, and location of thetendon rupture. Complete and incomplete rupture of the Achilles tendon wasprecisely diagnosed in five (29.4%) and twelve (70.6%) camels respectively;ruptured deep and superficial parts of the Achilles tendon were recorded in10 (58.8%) and 2 (11.8%) camels respectively. Clinically, the camels exhibitedan acute non-weight-bearing lameness (second to fourth-grade lameness),with swelling in the tendon near the calcaneus. Radiographs revealed swellingof the soft tissues surrounding the Achilles tendon just proximal to thecalcaneal tuberosity in most of the camels with the presence of avulsionfracture of the calcaneus in few cases (n=2). Ultrasonographically, theruptured part was precisely diagnosed as swollen, oedematous,heterogeneous structure with the presence of anechoic or hypoechoic areas(core lesion). In conclusion, lateromedial radiographs and ultrasonographywere helpful in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of different types ofAchilles tendon rupture and subsequent clinical decision and surgicalinterference in dromedary camels.