Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Repair

Abstract

There is no consensus as to the standard treatment of ruptured Achilles tendon. In this paper, we present an innovative method of treating Achilles tendon rupture. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous Achilles tendon repair is a minimally invasive method in the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. This study aims to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the procedure in treating ruptured Achilles tendons and in minimizing the complications of surgical percutaneous suturing. Thirty-four patients were treated for Achilles tendon rupture using a percutaneous suturing method under the control of ultrasound. The average follow-up was ~22 months with good and excellent results. As the sural nerve can be easily displayed by high-frequency real-time ultrasonography, the percutaneous repair of the Achilles tendon rupture can be aided by intraoperative ultrasound. The presented method is a quick and efficient surgery, which allows the treatment of torn Achilles tendons in a low-invasive way. The outcomes of this method are promising and enable the reduction of complications of the classic suturing methods. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.