"RISK OF NEGATIVE OUTCOMES AS A RESULT OF PATIENT NON-COMPLIANCE"

Abstract

A 48-year-old male patient, smoker with type one obesity, was admitted with torn Achilles tendon and calcaneus fracture originating from a sports injury (Fig. 1). The Achilles tendon was removed surgically and reinserted utilizing two anchors at the level of the calcaneus. The postoperative care included 3 weeks with the ankle in the equine position and 3 weeks with the ankle in neutral position while immobilized in an orthosis. However, the patient disregarded the advice of the doctor and showed up at the 14-day follow-up session in the outpatient clinic with the operated limb bearing weight. During the clinical examination, a skin lesion with necrosis was found (Fig. 2), and local topical therapy was started, which resulted in a beneficial course of events (Figs. 3 and 4). The patient missed his follow-up appointment for three months, at which point he presented with an active fistula at the level of the wound (Fig. 5) that had a poor course of development (Fig. 6).