Chronic Achilles Rupture Research Articles

Comparative Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Achilles Ruptures: Isolated FHL Transfer, Hamstring Transfer, and Turndown Flaps

Category: Sports; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Chronic Achilles tendon ruptures (CATR) adefined as those with a diagnosis or treatment exceeding four weeks present with retracted tendon ends and adhesions, complicating treatment and prognosis. Several surgical techniques including flexor hallucis longus (FHL) transfer, turndown flaps, V-Y advancement, and hamstring tendon transfer, have been described as treatment options, each with advantages, drawbacks, and potential complications. Despite the extensive use of patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs) such as AOFAS, ATRS, and VISA-A, there is a lack of literature concerning comparative analyses of surgical options for CATRs. This study aims to describe the clinical and functional outcomes with each technique, and to providevaluable insights for evidence-based decision-making in the management of this pathology. Methods: This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO, registration No. CRD42023444150). The inclusion criteria encompassed studies reporting clinical outcomes of CATR patients treated with isolated FHL transfer, hamstring tendon transfer, or turndown flaps. Clinical studies reporting at least one of the following outcomes were included: American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score or complications (wound complications, nerve injury, postoperative deep vein thrombosis, re-rupture, etc.). To be included, the studies had to provide sufficient data for extraction and pooling, including mean value, standard deviation (SD), and the number of subjects. Exclusion criteria comprised studies not published in English, less than 12 months of follow-up, and those with fewer than ten patients. Results: Eleven studies (295 patients) were included for isolated FHL transfer, 9 studies (168 patients) for hamstring transfer, and 6 studies (246 patients) for turndown flaps. All groups demonstrated a comparable improvement in AOFAS scores. The overall weighted complication rates were 4.1% in the Hamstring group, 6.1% in the isolated FHL group, and 12.6% in the turndown flap group. The complication rate in the Hamstring transfer group was significantly lower as compared to the turndown flaps group. The turndown flap group exhibited a significantly higher incidence of wound complications (12.5%, 95% C.I.: 8.4–16.5) compared to the isolated FHL (5.7%, 95% C.I.: 3.2–8.3) and hamstring groups (3.5%, 95% C.I.: 0.9–6.2). Conclusion: While all three techniques yielded comparable improvements in AOFAS scores for CATR management, turndown flaps were associated with a higher incidence of wound complications compared to the other two techniques. Enhanced study designs, incorporating direct comparisons of these different techniques within the same study setting, are essential. This approach will contribute to a clearer path towards identifying the optimal intervention and refining the standard of care for CATR patients.

A Comparative Analysis of Outcomes using PROMIS after Operative vs Non-operative Treatment of Achilles Rupture

Introduction/Purpose: Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury in the adult population. The role of operative and non- operative management remains controversial with the development of functional rehabilitation programs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the patient-reported outcomes using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) after operative and non-operative treatment of acute Achilles rupture. PROMIS is a valid, reliable, and effective tool to evaluate patient outcomes after treatment for Achilles ruptures. Our hypothesis is that there is no significant difference in PROMIS scores between patients undergoing operative compared to non-operative treatment of Achilles rupture. Methods: Under an IRB-approved protocol, Achilles rupture was identified using ICD 9 and ICD10 codes of 727.67 and S86.0. Patients who underwent Achilles tendon primary repair were identified using CPT code 27650 (Repair, primary open or percutaneous, ruptured Achilles tendon). Revision Achilles repair and chronic Achilles ruptures were excluded. All patients treated non-operative underwent a strict functional rehabilitation protocol. We included patients treated between 1/1/2015 and 11/30/2022. PROMIS physical function (PF), pain interference (PI), and depression scores were routinely collected prospectively during the initial office visit and follow-up appointments. A distribution-based method used to determine the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), which was 1/2 standard deviation of each PROMIS domain. A medical records review was performed to collect patient demographic data. Statistical analysis was used to compare preoperative and postoperative scores and significance was indicated when P< 0.05. Results: 216 patients with Achilles tendon ruptured were included (115 Nonoperative versus 101 Operative). Patients treated non-operatively were older than those treated surgically (mean age: 45.1 vs 35.6; p< 0.001). The operative group had a lower BMI compared to non-operative group (27.8 vs. 29.5; p=0.004). There is no statistical difference in the Achilles tendon re-rupture rate between both groups (operative: 2% vs. 4.3%; p=0.344). Both groups are effective in improving PROMIS PF, PI, and depression scores (p < 0.001). The mean PROMIS PF change (pre- to post-treatment) is significantly greater in the operative, compared to the non-operative group (13.2 vs. 9.5; p=0.042). Both treatments had similar mean PROMIS PI change, mean PROMIS depression change, and rates of meeting MCID for all 3 PROMIS domains at 6 months. Conclusion: In patients with Achilles tendon rupture, operative management may lead to statistically significant higher improvements in physical function compared to non-operative management. However, non-operative management was associated with similar overall rates of re-rupture, PROMIS PI and depression outcomes, and chances of meeting MCID as those who underwent operative intervention. Nonoperative management of Achilles tendon rupture, similar to operative treatment, is a successful treatment option and leads to significant improvement in physical function, pain interference, and depression PROMIS scores.

Salvage Reconstruction of a 12-cm Tendon Defect Following Chronic Achilles Rerupture-15-Year Follow-Up: A Case Report.

A 39-year-old man with a chronic Achilles rupture status post (1) failed primary repair and (2) secondary xenograft repair with graft rejection, resulting in a 12-cm Achilles tendon defect, which was reconstructed utilizing an Achilles bone block allograft and flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer. At 15-year follow-up, the patient reported good functionality and satisfaction with the repair, with positive patient-reported outcome measures. Physical examination revealed excellent strength and range of motion. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the integrity and incorporation of the Achilles/FHL graft composite. This case study provides valuable insight into successful long-term management of complex chronic Achilles ruptures with large defects.

Surgical Outcome of Achilles Reconstruction Using Allotendon and a Calcaneal Tunneling Technique in Patients with Chronic Achilles Rupture

Surgical Outcome of Achilles Reconstruction Using Allotendon and a Calcaneal Tunneling Technique in Patients with Chronic Achilles Rupture

Flexor Hallucis Longus Transfer And V-Y Plasty: An Effective Treatment Modality for Chronic Achilles Rupture - A Case Series.

To assess outcomes of FHL transfer and V-Y plasty for chronic Achilles rupture due to insertional Achilles tendinopathy. A case series of 12 patients was conducted between 1st January 2017 and 31st December 2018. The patients had short flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer with gastrocnemius lengthening by V-Y plasty for Achilles tendon rupture. Patients were allowed full weight bearing at six weeks post-operatively, and were followed up at three months and six months post-operatively, when the range of motion of the ankle was examined, and the outcome was assessed using the EFAS score. Of the 12 patients in the study, the majority were males; the mean age was 50.6±8.96 years. A significant improvement in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was noted at the six-month follow-up compared to the three-month follow-up (P=<0.001 for both). When compared to the normal side, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the affected ankle were significantly less at three months but were comparable at six months post-operatively. A significant improvement was noted in the mean EFAS score at the six-month follow-up (25.5±5.71) compared to three months (18.6±0.90) post-surgery (P=0.001). Males were also noted to have significantly higher EFAS scores at their six-month follow-up than females (P=0.022). In contrast, a negative correlation was noted between the European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) score at the final follow-up and age (P=0.011). FHL tendon transfer with V-Y plasty in chronic Achilles rupture due to insertional Achilles tendinopathy is an effective procedure resulting in the restoration of the ankle range of motion and improvement in functional scores.

FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME OF FLEXOR HALLUCIS LONGUS TRANSFER AUGMENTED WITH GASTROCNEMIOUS TURNDOWN FLAP IN THE RECONSTRUCTION OF CHRONIC ACHILLES TENDON RUPTURE

Introduction Chronic spontaneus rupture of Achilles tendon commonly occurs in middle aged and elderly person, which often goes undiagnosed or untreated for long duration, resulting in large gap in between two ruptured ends. Disrupted Tendo Achilles causes weakness in plantar exion of foot and abnormal gait. Surgical repair of the chronic rupture have poor result due to large gap in between ends. Different surgical procedures are described in the literature for Reconstruction of chronic Tendo Achilles injuries without any clear superior technique. Purpose of this study is assessment of functional outcome of Flexor Hallucis Longus transfer augmented by turn down Gastrocnemius ap in chronic Tendo achilles rupture. Methods This study Assessed functional outcome of Chronic achilles tendon rupture, reconstructed by Flexor Hallucis Longus transfer augmented by turndown gastrocnemius ap done at orthopaedics department, Bankura Sammilani medical college between november 2020 to october 2021. Patients were followed up for 12 months and then assessed clinically for range of movement , return to normal mobility , persistance of pain and complications . Functional outcome were assesed by American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score and Visual analogue Score (VAS). Observations Out of 8 patients, 6 had Excellent AOFAS score of 90 to 100, while 2 patient had a good score of 80 to 89. None had fair or poor score.None of the patients had wound breakdown, ankle stiffness, persistant nerve palsy or rerupture of the reconstructed tendon. Mean VAS score for pain at 12 month follow for 8 patients was 0, as none had any pain complain. None of the patient had any loss of ankle joint movement or stability, All patient resumed there normal day to day activity but none could restart recreational or sporting activity. Conclusions. Flexor Hallucis Longus transfer with turndown ap augmentation gives good to excellent outcome with minimal complication, if meticulous soft tissue handling and proper wound closure are done.

Chronic Achilles Tendon Repair: Minimally Invasive Turn-Down Technique with Flexor Hallucis Longus Tendon Transfer

Category: Sports; Ankle; Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Chronic achilles tendon injuries present several technical considerations. A reported 20-25% of acute ruptures may be missed and lead to late diagnosis. A commonly faced problem with chronic ruptures is the amount of tendon retraction that occurs, leading to the inability to perform a direct end-to-end repair. Previous studies have demonstrated that central turndown lengthening with addition of flexor hallucis longus (FHL) augmentation can be performed with good results, although it has been associated with post-surgical wound complications and infection. The following description is a turndown technique with FHL tendon transfer augmentation for chronic achilles rupture that allows increased fixation with a tendon to bone construct, accomplished with a minimally invasive approach. Methods: Dissection is made down to the Achilles rupture site. Scar tissue is debrided down to two stable ends. The residual gap is then measured and 2cm is added. This distance is then used to make a proximal incision. Dissection is performed to gastrocnemius tendinous raphe. The central third of this segment is incised perpendicularly. A quadriceps tendon harvester (Arthrex, Naples, FL) is utilized to cut in an antegrade fashion down the tendon portion percutaneously, leaving a 1-1.5cm of tendon spared distally. The tendon is pulled under and through the distal incision. A percutaneous achilles repair system (PARS, Arthrex, Naples, FL) Jig is used to span proximal tendon. FHL tendon transfer is then completed in usual fashion. Suture tails from proximal tendon are then passed through the distal end. Tension is pulled through the sutures, approximating repair. The suture is loaded onto anchors and secured into the calcaneus under tension. Results: Favorable outcomes have been observed following the 2 patients that have had chronic achilles repair with utilization of this minimally invasive turn-down technique with FHL transfer. At a follow up of at least 6 months, no patient has demonstrated wound dehiscence or breakdown. There have been no reports of re-rupture. All patients have been satisfied with the procedure and their level of returned function. Conclusion: Our method of repair with combination of central turndown procedure and FHL tendon transfer provides a suitable option for improved functional outcomes in the treatment of chronic achilles ruptures while providing a minimally invasive approach and avoiding the need for allograft tissue. By using the quadricep tendon harvester in a subcutaneous fashion, incision length can be reduced by nearly 50%. This technique can be performed with existing technologies and is readily reproducible. Using the tendon to bone fixation along with intra-tendinous shuttling, allows for excellent fixation strength, a knotless construct, and almost complete intra-substance suture placement.

Non-Operative Management of Chronic Achilles Tendon Ruptures: Short Term Outcomes

Category:Hindfoot; Sports; TraumaIntroduction/Purpose:The incidence of Achilles tendon rupture in the United States is approximately 2.6 per 100,000 person years, with a significant increase in incidence over recent years reported. Should the acute rupture not be diagnosed promptly, as is the case in up to 20% of patients, the injury may be termed chronic. A number of operative treatment strategies for chronic Achilles ruptures have been described, including v-y tendinous flap, flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer, peroneus brevis graft and free gracilis transfer. Despite the extensive investigation of non-operative treatment in acute ruptures, there is a lack of similar research into chronic injuries. This article aims to address this gap in the literature, reporting treatment results of patients treated conservatively after being deemed unfit for operative intervention.Methods:A retrospective review of all patients receiving non-operative treatment for chronic Achilles ruptures, in the senior author's clinic between December 2014 and May 2019 was performed. A chronic injury was defined as occurring when there was a delay of at least 28 days between initial injury and start of treatment. Patients with a minimum final follow up of less than 6 months were excluded. All patients were managed according to the previously described Leicester Achilles Management Protocol (LAMP), an eight-week functional dynamic regime with use of a VACOped boot (OPED, Valley, Germany). Formal physiotherapy treatment was also provided following completion of the LAMP. Hospital records were searched for relevant data including patient age and sex, side of injury, time between injury and start of treatment and post-treatment Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS).Results:A total of 17 consecutive patients with a minimum follow up of 6 months were managed non-operatively during the stated time period. The cohort included eight males and nine females with a mean age of 63.4 14.3 years. The right side was injured in five cases, with the left side affected in 12. The mean time from initial injury to start of treatment was 43.9 days (range 30 - 102 days). The mean ATRS at 6 months post treatment was 53+-17.8. A total of 10 patients were also available for follow up at 12 months. The mean ATRS in these patients at 12 months was 73 +-15.2.Conclusion:The mean 12-month ATRS of 73 achieved is lower than figures of 89-92.5 reported in previous studies describing operative treatment. However, our results indicate that good outcomes may be achieved using a non-operative protocol in patients who decline or are unfit for surgery. Recent research reports that the mean age of Achilles rupture has increased by 0.721 years every five years, since 1953. It could therefore be likely that an increasing number of patients suffering chronic Achilles ruptures may be unfit for surgical treatment. It is important that further research into the non-operative treatment of these patients is conducted.

“Don’t Make the Gap” Surgical Technique and Case Series for Chronic Achilles Rupture

Chronic Achilles tendon ruptures continue to be difficult conditions to treat, with no gold standard surgical procedure agreed upon. There are many previously described techniques for treating chronic rupture; however, these typically include excision of the interposed scar tissue. This study describes a technique that avoids resection of this scar tissue that allows for maximum final tendon length without the risk of gap formation. In addition, this study reports a case series of 7 patients who underwent the described technique at an average of 30 weeks after injury. These patients were followed-up for an average of 36 months, with similar outcome scores as shown in previous literature. This series demonstrates that good surgical outcomes are attainable while avoiding scar excision for patients with chronic Achilles tendon ruptures. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Case series-spontaneous chronic Tendo Achilles (TA) rupture and management

Case series-spontaneous chronic Tendo Achilles (TA) rupture and management

Endoscopic Treatment for Chronic Achilles Tendon Rupture on High Demand Patients

Category:Ankle, Arthroscopy, Sports, TraumaIntroduction/Purpose:Chronic Achilles Tendon Rupture (CATR) is still a prevalent condition that includes neglected ruptures and re-ruptures after surgical treatment. CATR is responsible for marked functional impairment that usually requires surgical repair and an open procedure is traditionally performed. Endoscopic treatment has been described but there is no consensus in its role due to lack of quality papers. There is some experience with endoscopic transfer of Flexor Hallucis Longus (ETFHL) but most authors recommend this technique only on low demanding patients.The purpose of this paper is to present our results with ETFHL on athletic patients (recreational sports or high demanding job), contributing to the establishment of this technique.Methods:In this retrospective study, the authors report a series of 14 patients submitted to ETFHL, 12 patients due to Chronic Achilles rupture and 2 due to acute re-rupture, between May 2014 and January 2018. The mean follow-up period was 28 months (range 12 to 48 months). We measured pre and post-operative AOFAS score and Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), along with post-operative heel rise height test.Results:In our 14 patients (11 male, 3 female) the mean age was 42 years old (range 23 to 59). There were 10 non-professional athletes and 4 high demand workers. The mean pre-operative AOFAS score was 61,1 (range 49 to 79) and ATRS was 11,6 (range 10 to 14).Post-operative results: the mean AOFAS score was 96 (ranging 90 to 100). All patients were able to do single foot heel rise with a mean height of 6,2 cm (range 5 to 9,6 cm). The mean ATRS was 95 (range 81 to 100). All patients showed complete functional recuperation of the gastrocnemius complex and returned to sports or labor activities at their previous level. One patient had transient hypoesthesia of tibial nerve. No other complications were registered.Conclusion:We present a small group of recreational athletes and high demand workers in which ETFHL for CATR showed good results with remarkable functional rehabilitation. Our results are comparable to open classic techniques, with less invasiveness and soft tissue complications. Our experience made us believe that ETFHL may play a role in the treatment of CATR, not only in low demand patients but also in the athletic population. Further studies are necessary to compare this technique with the open procedure to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Percutaneous Treatment of Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Patient Report Outcome Study

Category:Sports, Achilles TendonIntroduction/Purpose:Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury with increasing incidence in adults. While multiple studies have been conducted to determine the optimal surgery for an Achilles rupture, there is a lack of consensus around which surgical method serves as the best treatment. The predominant surgical options that are currently performed include open repair and minimally invasive or percutaneous Achilles rupture surgery (PARS), with comparative studies between open and PARS showing similar functional results. However, there is a lack of objective patient reported outcomes (PRO) for these procedures in the literature. To our knowledge, our study is the first prospective study to use validated patient reported outcomes (PROMIS®) to compare pre-operative and post- operative outcomes for the PARS surgery.Methods:Pre- and post-operative data for the PROMIS Physical Function and Pain Interference Computer Adaptive Tests (CATs) was collected for over 100 Achilles rupture patients at a major tertiary care facility and level I trauma center starting in 2014. Each of these patients were contacted at regular intervals for repeat survey evaluation at multiple post-operative time points via email or phone. Patients treated for chronic Achilles rupture as well as patients without adequate post- operative follow up of a minimum of 2 years were excluded. We conducted a preliminary analysis on a total of 21 patients with acute Achilles rupture Injury treated with PARS and 2 years post- operative PROMIS follow up. For each outcome, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess the mean difference between pre-operative and post-operative scores. The statistical analysis was conducted by statisticians who were blinded and worked independently of the orthopedics department.Results:Based on the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, there was significant mean difference between pre-op and post-op physical function scores (p=0.0009 < 0.05) and no significant mean difference between pre-op and post-op pain scores (p=0.1743 > 0.05). Mean post-operative scores were at the 54th percentile for function and 44th percentile for pain.Conclusion:While our study is a preliminary investigation into the use patient-reported outcomes in determining the outcomes of PARS, we aim to expand on our findings as more patients reach 2-year post- operative status. Our preliminary findings are however consistent with the literature regarding the viability of PARS in treating acute Achilles ruptures with positive results similar to other techniques. While patients’ experience a minor loss in post-operative physical function as compared to their pre- injury status, PARS restores physical function scores to that of the mean population while restoring pain scores to baseline levels.

Chronic Achilles Ruptures: Reconstructive Options.

Achilles tendon ruptures, if neglected or identified late, lead to impairments in function and gait. Surgical reconstruction is typically required to restore the resting length and tension to the gastrocnemius-soleus complex. A variety of reconstructive options have been described, depending on several factors, including chronicity, residual gap size, remaining tissue quality and vascularity, location of tendon rupture or deficiency, and patient-specific factors. Despite the many surgical options described from local soft-tissue rearrangements and tendon transfers, to the use of allograft tissue and synthetic material augmentation, there is understandably a paucity of evidence-based guidelines available to direct surgeons in the optimal procedure for each patient-specific situation. Reconstructive options for the patient with a chronic Achilles rupture are detailed and reviewed here, to serve as a framework for the treating surgeon in these complex cases.

Strength and Functional Outcomes Following Achilles Tendon Reconstruction Using Hamstring Tendon Autograft

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Use of hamstring tendon (gracilis and/or semitendinosus) autografts with limited morbidity and positive outcomes has been well reported in knee ligament reconstructions as well as in foot and ankle applications including chronic Achilles rupture or Achilles tendinosis augmentations. Advantages of hamstring autograft reconstruction when compared to alternative procedures such as local tendon transfers, synthetic grafts, or allografts are better healing and reduced morbidity within the foot and ankle. In this study, we examined the effect of Achilles tendon reconstruction using hamstring autografts on strength and functional outcomes. We hypothesized patients would experience positive outcomes following repair evidenced by significant outcome score improvements and limited ankle plantarflexor and knee flexor strength deficits when compared to patients’ contralateral side and dorsiflexion and extension strength respectively. Methods: Patients who underwent Achilles repair with a hamstring autograft by a fellowship-trained sports medicine and foot and ankle surgeon since 2011 were evaluated for inclusion. Patients younger than 18 or with history of contralateral lower extremity pathology were excluded. Thirty-one potential participants were identified. Patients, average age 38 ± 10.9, had strength testing at an average of 19 months post-operatively (range 15-28 months). Isokinetic testing was completed with a Biodex dynamometer under supervision of a physical therapist blinded to surgical side. Peak plantarflexion and dorsiflexion torque and toque at 30 degrees of plantarflexion were measured at speeds of 60 and 120 degrees/sec. Peak flexion and extension torque and torque at 30, 70, and 90 degrees of flexion were measured at speeds of 180 and 300 degrees/sec. Pre- and post-operative FAOS scores were reviewed retrospectively. Comparisons were completed using Student’s T-tests. Results: All patients except one have reported being very satisfied or satisfied with their surgery. The remaining patient reported being neither satisfied nor dissatisfied. One case reported pain at the harvest site. No additional surgeries were required and all patients would recommend their surgery to someone else. The only significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in relative plantarflexion and dorsiflexion strength within the ankle occurred at 30 degrees of plantarflexion when testing at the higher speed. Flexion strength was significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) than extension strength at 90 degrees of flexion for both tested speeds and in peak torque at the higher speed (Table). Every FAOS subscale except Symptoms was significantly greater post-operatively than pre-operatively (p&lt;0.05). Post-operative Symptoms scores were still greater by an average of 16.15 points with p=0.06. Conclusion: Achilles reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts appears to produce good outcomes with minimal functional deficits. Functional outcome scores increase, patient satisfaction is relatively high, and there are limited negative symptoms at the harvest site. A greater than 10-point average difference between pre- and post-operative FAOS scores in each subscale reflects a clinically significant difference. Current data shows there is limited difference in loss of plantarflexion strength when compared to dorsiflexion. Similar to previous findings, hamstring strength is reduced at higher degrees of flexion and higher speeds. Overall, relative torque results reflect limited ankle or knee strength deficits.

Treatment of Catastrophic Failures of Achilles Tendon Repairs Due to Deep Wound Complications

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: The Achilles tendon is the most commonly injured tendon in the lower extremity. Whether these ruptures are acute or chronic, a surgical Achilles repair or reconstruction is often needed to restore tendon integrity and function. Risks from such surgeries include superficial or deep wound infections and/or dehiscence. To date, there is scant literature regarding the treatment of catastrophic failures of Achilles tendon repairs or reconstructions from deep wound infection and dehiscence. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively examine clinical outcomes from uniform single-stage surgical treatment of catastrophic failures of Achilles tendon repairs or reconstructions from deep wound complications. Methods: Between 2007 and 2016, 10 patients developed a deep wound infection and dehiscence after surgical treatment of an acute or chronic Achilles rupture. Medical co-morbidities included obesity in 4, diabetes in 3, and nicotine use in 2 patients. Six and 4 patients had a mid-substance and insertional Achilles rupture respectively. Three patients had an acute injury that received an end-to-end suture repair. Seven patients had a chronic injury with Achilles retraction, which necessitated proximal Achilles or gastrocnemius lengthening. These patients required surgery for their wound problem due to depth and involvement of their Achilles repair/reconstruction site. Surgery involved a single-stage wound irrigation and debridement, Achilles excisional debridement at the repair/reconstruction site, flexor hallucis longus transfer to the calcaneus to replace the compromised or failed Achilles repair/reconstruction, and primary or vacuum assisted wound closure. Patients were followed for 6 months after this surgery and invited for recent follow-up to collect data. Results: With uniform surgical treatment, full resolution of deep wound infection and dehiscence after Achilles repair/reconstruction was achieved in all 10 patients. No patients developed a recurrence of wound complications and/or infection to necessitate any further surgical debridements. All 10 patients presented for recent follow-up at a mean of 57.3 months. Mean Foot and Ankle Ability Measures increased from 36.3% at initial presentation before Achilles repair/reconstructive surgery to 84.2% at latest follow-up (P&lt;0.05). Mean Visual Analog Scores of pain decreased from 6.6 of 10 before the Achilles repair/reconstruction to 1.5 of 10 at latest follow-up (P&lt;0.05). All patients were able to return to normal gait and full activities at home, with 3 reporting difficulties with prolonged ankle activities at work. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that our method of single-stage surgical treatment of catastrophic failures of Achilles tendon repairs or reconstructions from deep wound complications can achieve a high rate of improved patient function and pain relief. Clinical outcomes of treating patients with this particular complication of Achilles repair/reconstruction in this manner have not been previously reported in the orthopaedic literature. As catastrophic failures of Achilles tendon repairs or reconstructions from deep wound complications are studied further, our method of surgical care should be strongly considered as treatment.

Early Postoperative Results of Endoscopic Transfer of Flexor Hallucis Longus for Chronic Achilles Rupture

Category: Ankle, Arthroscopy, Hindfoot Introduction/Purpose: Background Achilles tendon chronic rupture lead to proximal retraction of the tendon and have a greater tendency to show poorer functional outcomes than acute ruptures. Numerous surgical procedures have been described to treat this pathology. The transfer of the flexor hallucis longus is a well-established treatment option, usually performed as an open procedure. The aim of this paper is to report a case series of six patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture treated with endoscopic transfer of FHL. Methods: Six patients with Achilles tendon chronic injuries or re-ruptures were treated with endoscopic FHL transfer. There were four man and two women, average of 50 years, with four left and two right tendons involved, and no bilateral cases. All lesions were at zone 2 (between 2-6 cm proximal to insertion). We describe the surgical technique and report our results at an average of a nine-month follow-up. Results: The average follow-up of the series was 9 months (range, 5–12 months). Three patients had an associate procedure at the Achilles tendon to repair the pre-existent gap, using a minimally invasive technique. On average, we expend 56 minutes to perform the surgery, ranging from 45 to 70 minutes. All patients had a major increase in ATRS score values postoperatively, with an average of 17.8 preoperatively and 83,3 postoperatively No major complications or wound healing problems were noted. Tiptoe stance was possible for all patients without limitation. None of the patients noticed functional weakness of the hallux during daily life activity. Conclusion: Endoscopic FLH transfer is a reliable option for patients with higher skin risk and soft tissue complications. Other studies are needed to compare this technique with the open procedure, gold standard by now, to ensure its safety and efficacy.

Repair of Chronic Achilles Ruptures Has a High Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism.

Despite the low incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in foot and ankle surgery, some authors report a high incidence of symptomatic DVT following Achilles tendon rupture. The purpose of this study was to identify DVT risk factors inherent to Achilles tendon repair to determine which patients may benefit from prophylaxis. One hundred and thirteen patient charts were reviewed following elective and nonelective Achilles tendon repair. For elective repair of insertional or noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy, parameters examined included lateral versus prone positioning and the presence versus absence of a flexor hallucis longus transfer. For nonelective repair, acute Achilles tendon ruptures were compared to chronic Achilles tendon ruptures. Of 113 Achilles tendon repairs, 3 venous thromboembolism (VTE) events (2.65%) occurred including 2 pulmonary emboli (1.77%). Seventeen of these repairs were chronic Achilles tendon ruptures, and all 3 VTE events (17.6%) occurred within this subgroup. Elevated body mass index was associated with VTE in patients with chronic Achilles ruptures although this did not reach significance ( P = .064). No VTE events were reported after repair of 28 acute tendon ruptures or after 68 elective repairs of tendinopathy. Two patients with misdiagnosed partial Achilles tendon tears were excluded because they experienced a VTE event 3 weeks and 5 weeks after injury, prior to surgery. In our retrospective review, chronic Achilles ruptures had a statistically significant higher incidence of VTE compared with acute Achilles ruptures ( P = .048) or elective repair ( P = .0069). Pharmaceutical anticoagulation may be considered for repair of chronic ruptures. Repair of acute ruptures and elective repair may not warrant routine prophylaxis due to a lower incidence of VTE. Prognostic, Level III: Case Control Study.

Treatment of Chronic Achilles Tendon Ruptures With Large Defects.

Background When Achilles tendon ruptures become chronic, a defect often forms at the rupture site. There is scant literature regarding the treatment of chronic Achilles ruptures with defects of 6 cm or larger. We examined outcomes from combining a turndown of the proximal, central Achilles with a flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer to treat this condition. Materials Between September 2002 and December 2013, 32 patients presented with a chronic Achilles rupture and a defect of 6 cm or more. Twenty patients were male and 12 were female. Patient age was between 20 and 74 years, with a mean of 53.3 years. Eighteen and 14 patients had their right and left Achilles tendon affected, respectively. The number of days between injury and surgery ranged from 30 to 315 days, with a mean of 102 days. Reconstruction of the Achilles involved a turndown of the proximal, central tendon and FHL augmentation. Final patient follow-up ranged from 18 to 150 months, with a mean of 62.3 months. At surgery, the gap between the ruptured ends of the Achilles ranged from 6 to 12 cm, with a mean gap of 7.5 cm. Full healing was achieved in all 32 patients (100%) by 5 months postoperatively. Mean Foot and Ankle Ability Measures scores increased from 36.3% to 90.2% between initial and latest follow-up (P < .05). Mean visual analogue scales of pain decreased from 6.6 to 1.8 of 10 between first and last encounter (P < .05). Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (15.6%), including 3 (9.4%) superficial wound problems, 1 (3.1%) deep wound infection, and 1 (3.1%) deep vein thrombosis. Discussion Outcomes from treating chronic Achilles ruptures with large defects are scant within the orthopaedic literature. Our method of Achilles reconstruction results in a high rate of improved function and pain relief. Therapeutic, Level IV: Case series.

Chronic Achilles Rupture Repair by Allograft With Bone Block Fixation

Chronic Achilles Rupture Repair by Allograft With Bone Block Fixation

Chronic Achilles Rupture Reconstructed with Achilles Tendon Allograft: A Case Report

Chronic ruptures of the Achilles tendon are more difficult to treat than acute tendon rupture. It has been shown that surgical treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture provides better functional results than nonoperative treatment. We present a case of neglected Achilles tendon rupture with a 12-cm defect that was repaired using an Achilles tendon allograft with interferential screws to fix the graft in the calcaneus. The patient recovered his ankle function to normal activities after rehabilitation.