Abstract: This study aimed to analyze the value of real-time shear wave elastography(SWE) in determining the type and surgical outcome of athletic Achilles tendon rupture. 65 patients with athletic Achilles tendon rupture were selected as the research objects, including 45 patients with incomplete rupture and 20 patients with complete rupture. The mean elastic value (Emean) of Achilles tendon in longitudinal section was measured by real-time SWE. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was used to evaluate the postoperative efficacy. The results showed that the Emean value of Achilles tendon in longitudinal section of was significantly lower in the complete rupture group than in the incomplete rupture group (P<0.01). With Emean ≤ 89.434 kPa as the cut-off value, the sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve of Emean in the longitudinal section of Achilles tendon were 95.00%, 73.33% and 0.832, respectively. Compared with the patients with good treatment effect, the Emean of the Achilles tendon in longitudinal section of the patients with poor treatment effect was significantly reduced(P<0.05). With Emean ≤ 184.81 kPa as the cut-off value, the sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve of Emean in the longitudinal section of Achilles tendon were 93.33%, 58.00% and 0.760. This study showed that Emean longitudinal section of Achilles tendon could be used to evaluate the type of Achilles tendon rupture and the recovery of Achilles tendon after surgery.

Key words: athletic Achilles tendon rupture, real-time shear wave elastography, average elasticity value, the curative effect