Ankle & Foot
Muscle & Tendon
Evidence: suggestive
Thompson’s Test Special Test
Orthopedic Physical Examination & Clinical Assessment Guide
What is it used for?
- Identifying a complete rupture of the Achilles Tendon.
How to Perform
- Position: Patient lies on their stomach (prone) with feet hanging off the table.
- Action: Squeeze the calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus).
- Observation: Watch for movement of the foot.
Interpretation of Results
- Positive Test: The foot does not point downwards (plantar flex) when the calf is squeezed.
Diagnostic Accuracy
- Sensitivity: 96-100 %
- Specificity: 93-100 %
Clinical Context & Limitations
The Thompson’s Test should be considered as one component of a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment. No single special test has perfect diagnostic accuracy; thus, clinical decision-making should integrate test results with patient-reported symptoms, mechanism of injury, functional impairment, and relevant imaging.
Clinicians should be aware of potential false-positive results in patients with pain sensitisation, muscle guarding, or poor relaxation. For the Ankle & Foot region, combining the Thompson’s Test with complementary examination tests significantly improves overall diagnostic confidence.
References
- Magee, D. J. (2021). Orthopedic Physical Assessment (7th ed.). Elsevier.
