Augmented Repair of Acute Total Achilles Tendon Rupture With Peroneus Brevis Tendon Transfer Using Oblique Transosseous Calcaneal Tunnel: A Prospective Case Series

Abstract

Acute Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most common tendon injuries. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of augmented repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture with peroneus brevis tendon transfer and fixation to an oblique calcaneal transosseous tunnel. Functional evaluation was performed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS). Postoperative complications were recorded. This study included 33 males and 9 females, with a mean age of 26.1 ± 4.2 years. The Achilles tendon ruptures were right in 24 patients and left in 18 patients. The cause of rupture was sports injuries in all patients. The mean distance from the calcaneal insertion to the tear site was 4.4 ± 1.3 cm. The mean time from injury to surgery was 2.4 ± 1.6 days. The mean follow-up time was 40.3 ± 4.9 months. The mean AOFAS and ATRS scores were 99.3 ± 1.2 and 95.9 ± 1.9, respectively, at 12 months of follow-up. The mean time to return to work was 12.1 ± 1.2 weeks. The mean time to return to light sports activities was 16.1 ± 1.8 weeks postoperatively. None of the patients developed re-rupture. Augmented repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures with peroneus brevis tendon transfer is a robust repair with excellent functional outcomes and early weight-bearing and return to sports activities.