RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture in alkaptonuria
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1486
OP 1489
DO 10.15537/smj.2015.12.12834
VO 36
IS 12
A1 Alajoulin, Omar A.
A1 Alsbou, Mohammed S.
A1 Ja’afreh, Somayya O.
A1 Kalbouneh, Heba M.
YR 2015
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/36/12/1486.abstract
AB Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare inborn metabolic disease characterized by accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA). Excretion of HGA in urine causes darkening of urine and its deposition in connective tissues causes dark pigmentation (ochronosis), early degeneration of articular cartilage, weakening of the tendons, and subsequent rupture. In this case report, we present a rare case of a patient presented with unilateral spontaneous rupture of Achilles tendon due to AKU. The patient developed most of the orthopedic manifestations of the disease earlier than typical presentations. Alkaptonuria patients should avoid strenuous exercises and foot straining especially in patients developing early orthopedic manifestations.