Simmonds-Thompson Test

Description

History

1957 – Sam Simmonds described a test for Achilles tendon integrity consisting of two signs:

• the injured foot is in a prone position in less equinus than the uninjured one.
• on calf compression, the injured foot fails to plantarflex

1962 – TC Thompson had observed these same findings in a patient with an acute Achilles tendon rupture in 1955. He examined cadavers and noted that calf compression in the presence of a tear of <90% of the soleus still resulted in ipsilateral foot plantar-flexion. TCT published hisfindings in 1962

Original drawing of Thompson test 1962

1990 – Copeland introduced use of the sphygmomanometer to the test. [1990 Jul; 72(4): 270–271.]

1992 – Scott and al Chalabi further detailed the mechanics of the positive Simmonds-Thompson test result showing that it was indicative of an essentially fully ruptured Achilles tendon. [JBJS 1992 Mar;74(2):314-5.]

Associated Persons

• Franklin Adin Simmonds (published description – 1957)
• T. Campbell Thompson (described 1955; published description – 1962)

Alternative names

• Simmonds Test
• Thompson Test
• Calf squeeze Test

References

• Simmonds FA. The diagnosis of the ruptured Achilles tendon. The Practitioner. 1957 Jul;179(1069):56-8. [PMID 13453094]
• Thompson TC, Doherty JH. Spontaneous rupture of tendon of Achilles: a new clinical diagnostic test. J Trauma. 1962 Mar;2:126-9. [PMID 13920945]
• Thompson TC. A test for rupture of the tendo achillis. Acta Orthop Scand. 1962;32:461-5. [PMID 13981206]
• Copeland SA. Rupture of the Achilles tendon: a new clinical test. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1990 Jul; 72(4): 270–271. [PMC2499219]
• Somford MP, Hoornenborg D, Wiegerinck JI, Nieuwe Weme RA. Are You Positive That the Simmonds-Thompson Test Is Negative? A Historical and Biographical Review. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2016 May-Jun;55(3):682-3. [PMID 27114346]
• Boyd RPR et al. Achilles tendon rupture: how to avoid missing the diagnosis. Br J Gen Pract. 2015 Dec; 65(641): 668–669. [PMC4655731]
• Scott BW, al Chalabi A. How the Simmonds-Thompson test works. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1992 Mar;74(2):314-5. [PMID 1544978]