Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with a rupture of the Achilles tendon (ATR) treated percutaneously with the Dresden instrument in the hands of surgeons others than its inventors.Materials and methods118 patients (FU rate: 77.1%) with an acute ATR treated with the Dresden instrument were retrospectively evaluated. The following data were evaluated: pain intensity, functional limitation, Hannover score, Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS), AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score, Tegner activity score, complications, maximum calf circumference (MCC) on both sides, and the Matles test for tendon lengthening. The effect of the time point of the surgery after trauma was examined.ResultsHannover scores and ATRSs were good; AOFAS scores were excellent. Almost all patients returned to sporting activities postoperatively, and 66.1% were able to return to their previous level. The Tegner activity score revealed a slight posttraumatic decrease (p = 0.009) in the level of physical activity overall (pre-injury: 5.37 ± 0.15; postoperatively: 4.77 ± 0.15). The re-rupture rate was 2%. No sural nerve lesions and no infections were reported. Even after 3 years, there was still a difference in MCC that was correlated with inferior clinical score and AT lengthening. Patients treated within the first 2 days after ATR showed inferior clinical outcomes in terms of AOFAS score, ATRS, and functional limitations.ConclusionsPercutaneous ATR suture with the Dresden instrument is a safe and reliable method. Low complication and re-rupture rates, good clinical results, and a high rate of return to play support this fact. The time point of the operation may influence the outcome.
Highlights
The Achilles tendon (AT) is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body, with acute AT ruptures accounting for about 35% of all tendon tears [1]
Almost all patients returned to sporting activities postoperatively, and 66.1% were able to return to their previous level
The following data were included in the analysis: subjective pain intensity and subjective functional limitation were measured on a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS); the Hannover score [18]; the Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) [19]; the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score; and the Tegner activity score for assessing the pre-injury and postoperative levels of sporting activity
Summary
The Achilles tendon (AT) is the thickest and strongest tendon in the human body, with acute AT ruptures accounting for about 35% of all tendon tears [1]. Despite the low rerupture rate and a lower wound complication rate compared to open surgery, percutaneous techniques have been only cautiously accepted, as they were previously notorious for sural nerve lesions [12,13,14,15]. Relatively few studies support the use of this percutaneous technique for the treatment of acute ATR. The aim of the present study was to independently evaluate the postoperative outcomes of patients treated with the Dresden instrument in the hands of surgeons others than its inventors, with a minimum follow-up period of 1 year. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with a rupture of the Achilles tendon (ATR) treated percutaneously with the Dresden instrument in the hands of surgeons others than its inventors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
