Incidents of Complications after Reconstruction of Neglected Achilles Tendon Injury by Baker's Procedure

Abstract

Introduction: Neglected Achilles tendon ruptures present a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery, with varied outcomes and complications. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Baker's Procedure in the reconstruction of neglected Achilles tendon ruptures and to analyze the associated postoperative outcomes and complications. Methods: This prospective interventional study was conducted from January 1, 2012, to May 31, 2013, at multiple centers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It included 42 patients aged 18 to 60 years with neglected Tendo-Achilles ruptures, defined as injuries untreated for over 4 weeks. Baker's Procedure, involving gastrocnemius aponeurosis advancement, was employed for reconstruction. Result: Of the 42 participants, 71.43% were male, with a mean age of 30.7 years. Injuries predominantly occurred in the right Achilles tendon (57.14%) and were mainly caused by sharp-metal objects (57.14%) and toilet-pan accidents (35.71%). Postoperative complications included stitch or wound infections (21.43%), pain (14.29%), stiffness (28.57%), and calf-muscle weakness (35.71%). Excellent, good, and fair outcomes were achieved in 64.29%, 21.43%, and 14.29% of patients, respectively. Conclusion: Baker’s Procedure is effective in reconstructing neglected Achilles tendon ruptures, with a majority of patients achieving excellent or good outcomes. However, the relatively high rate of postoperative complications, particularly infections, calf muscle weakness and stiffness, highlights the need for improved surgical and postoperative strategies. These findings underscore the importance of tailored.