Objective: This report describes the use of point-of-care ultrasound in the evaluation of a traumatic puncture injury to the posterior calf affecting the Achilles and, unexpectedly, the plantaris tendon.
Methods: A 43-year-old male presented three days after sustaining penetrating trauma to the posterior calf from a dropped drill with an attached bit. Initial hospital urgent care evaluation was performed without imaging. The patient subsequently underwent evaluation with handheld point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound. Both longitudinal and transverse imaging were performed.
Results: Point-of-care ultrasound showed the majority of the Achilles was intact. Unexpectedly the drill bit had managed to graze the plantaris tendon. Ultrasound was able to evaluate the extent of the injury.
Conclusion: Point-of-care ultrasound can be used to identify injured structures in a puncture injury.
Author keywords: Plantaris, Achilles, Point-of-care ultrasound, POCUS, MSK ultrasound
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