Epidemiology of Achilles tendon ruptures in the United States: 2019 to 2024.
Burke OC, Milano ME, Onor GI, Hetznecker L, Megafu M, Justice WL et al. · The Physician and sportsmedicine · 2026
Background: The Achilles tendon (AT) is the strongest tendon in the human body; however, the incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs) continues to rise. This study aimed to update the epidemiology of ATRs in the United States from 2019 to 2024, with emphasis on demographic patterns and mechanisms of injury.
Methods: Patients presenting to the emergency department with ATRs from 2019 to 2024 were identified using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. Demographic variables including age, sex, and race were extracted, and national incidence estimates were calculated. Injury mechanisms were analyzed overall and in subgroup analyses stratified by demographic characteristics.
Results: An estimated 31,549 ATRs occurred in the United States during the study period, with significant variation over time ( p p
Conclusion: Young male patients (20 to 39-years-old) who participate in recreational sports continue to be at the highest risk for ATRs. Basketball was associated with most of the ATRs for males and individuals between ages Level of evidence Clinical Research IV: epidemiology study.