Functional Outcomes Of Primary Open Repair With Augmentation And Without Augmentation In Achilles Tendon Rupture

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcomes between two surgical techniques for Achilles tendon rupture: primary open repair (POR) versus open repair augmented with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer (POR_FHL). METHODS: Twenty six patients (Age:44.7±8.6 years, Body Mass:83.4±14.5 kg, Height:177.7±23.4 cm, BMI:27.6±4.2 kg/m2, time after surgery to experiment: 3.13±1.96 yrs) who were operated either with POR (Group 1, n=14) or POR_FHL (Group 2, n=12) for achilles tendon rupture were included in this study. For evaluating dynamic balance, Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) with anterior, posteromedial and posterolateral reach distances was used and for evaluating hop performance, One Leg Hop Test (OLHT) was used. To measure ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, Weight Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT) was performed and Functional Squat Test (FST) was used for evaluating lower extremity concentric and eccentric strength. Limb symmetry index was calculated for each test. Student t test was performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The physical characteristics of the patients were not different between groups (p>0.05). There were no differences between groups in SEBT anterior (p=0.46), posteromedial (p=0.28) and posterolateral reach distances (p=0.71), OLHT (p=0.77), WBLT (p=0.13) and FST for concentric (p=0.96) and eccentric (p=0.78) strength. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that primary open repair with and without augmentation techniques for achilles tendon repair had similar effect on dynamic balance, hop distance, ankle dorsiflexion motion and lower extremity strength in long term after surgery.