Tendon rupture in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Tendon rupture in SLE is a rare but potentially disabling complication. The etiology of tendon rupture is not well understood, but in some cases it is secondary to trauma and in others it is related to inflammatory changes in and around the tendon as a result of the underlying disease process. Corticosteroid therapy may also be responsible for tendon rupture in some patients. Therapy must be individualized depending on the site of rupture.