Abstract
PurposeWhile most Achilles tendon ruptures are dramatic and diagnosed quickly, some are missed, with a risk of becoming chronic. A chronic Achilles tendon rupture is defined as a rupture that has been left untreated for more than 4 weeks. By mapping the health economic cost of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures the health-care system might be able to better distribute resources to detect these ruptures at an earlier time.MethodAll patients with a chronic Achilles tendon rupture who were treated surgically at Sahlgrenska University Hospital or Kungsbacka Hospital between 2013 and 2018 were invited to participate in the study. The patients were evaluated postoperatively using the validated Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS). The health-care costs were assessed using clinical records. The production-loss costs were extracted from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The cost of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures was then compared with the cost of acute ruptures in a previous study by Westin et.al.ResultsForty patients with a median (range) age of 66 (28–86) were included in the study. The mean total cost (± SD) for the patients with a chronic Achilles tendon rupture was 6494 EUR ± 6508, which is 1276 EUR higher than the mean total cost of acute ruptures. Patients with chronic Achilles tendon ruptures reported a mean (min-max) postoperative ATRS of 73 (14–100).ConclusionMissing an Achilles tendon rupture will entail higher health-care costs compared with acute ruptures. Health-care resources can be saved if Achilles tendon ruptures are detected at an early stage.
Highlights
The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body [6]
Missing an Achilles tendon rupture will entail higher health-care costs compared with acute ruptures
The results demonstrate a higher health-care cost for chronic Achilles tendon ruptures than both the operative and nonoperative treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures
Summary
The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body [6]. It is, one of the most commonly injured [12]. The incidence of Achilles tendon rupture is approximately 23–47 per 100,000 person-years for men and 8–12 per 100,000 person-years for women [9, 11]. The incidence has increased over the last few decades [7, 9]. The most probable explanation is that more people exercise and participate in sports at an older age.
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