Achilles Tendon Pinch Test. The patient lies face down with feet hanging off the edge of the bed. No tenderness on pinching the tendon but still stiffness first thing especially felt going downstairs.
Thompson however had noted this effect in 1955. The gastrocnemius and soleus should also be palpated for myofascial trigger points and global tightness. Ankle dorsiflexion reduces the retrocalcaneal space and increases the effectiveness of the pinch test.
Simmonds described in 1957 how squeezing the calf muscles could test the rupture of the achilles tendon.
A simple test for achilles tendon injury is the achilles tendon pinch test. This eases up after first few minutes for the rest of the day until the next day. An achilles tendon tear occurs when the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone is severed. A local pinch is applied over the bursa which may reproduce the pain.