Surgical Treatment Of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Research Articles

Two-Year Clinical and Radiologic Outcomes Following Surgical Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy Using a Central Tendon-Splitting Approach.

If conservative treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) fails, surgery is often considered. Various surgical approaches have been used including the central Achilles tendon splitting approach. This study aimed to report the 2-year clinical and radiologic outcomes after surgical treatment of IAT with a central tendon-splitting approach. Seventy-five cases of IAT treated surgically via the open central tendon-splitting approach were analyzed. Clinical outcomes included the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hindfoot score, visual analog scale (VAS), 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores, all measured at baseline and 6 and 24 months postoperatively. Radiologic parameters measured included the Fowler-Philip angle (FPA) and parallel pitch lines (PPL). Three patients had clinically significant wound issues but healed completely by 3 weeks. Mean AOFAS score improved from 45.63 preoperatively to 94.71 at 24 months. Mean VAS score improved from 6.73 preoperatively to 0.55, mean SF-36 PCS from 35.98 to 48.74, and mean SF-36 MCS from 53.04 to 55.43 at 24 months. Satisfaction at 2 years was 94.3%. Mean FPA decreased from 62.0 degrees preoperatively to 34.0 degrees postoperatively. PPL was positive in 82.7% (62 of 75) of cases preoperatively, decreasing to 1.3% (1 of 75) postoperatively. Increasing age and higher preoperative VAS and SF-36 MCS scores were significantly associated with improvements in postoperative AOFAS, SF-36 PCS, and MCS scores. Surgical treatment of IAT via the central tendon-splitting approach achieved substantial improvements in all patient-reported outcome measures measured. These excellent clinical outcomes continued to show improvement 2 years postoperatively. Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Association of Haglund Deformity Size and Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy.

We aimed to investigate the effect of Haglund deformity size on insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) using a new measurement system and identify independent risk factors of IAT with Haglund deformity. We reviewed medical records of patients with IAT and age/sex-matched patients with diagnoses other than Achilles tendinopathy. Radiographs were reviewed to identify posterior heel spur, plantar heel spur, and intra-Achilles tendon calcification, and to measure Fowler-Philip angle, calcaneal pitch angle, and Haglund deformity angle and height. We introduced a new measurement system for Haglund deformity angle and height and evaluated its intraobserver and interobserver reliability. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors of IAT with Haglund deformity. Fifty patients (55 feet) were enrolled in the study group, equaling the size of the age/sex-matched control group. The new Haglund deformity measurement system showed excellent intraobserver and interobserver reliability. No significant differences between the 2 groups were noted in Haglund deformity angle and height: 6.0 degrees in both groups, and 3.3 mm vs 3.2 mm in the study and control group, respectively. The study group had significantly higher calcaneal pitch angle, incidence of posterior heel spur, plantar heel spur, and intra-Achilles tendon calcification: 5.2 vs 23.1 degrees (P = .044), 81.8% vs 36.4% (P < .001), 76.4% vs 34.5% (P = .003), and 67.3% vs 5.5% (P < .001), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified independent risk factors of IAT: posterior heel spur (OR = 3.650, 95% CI = 1.063, 12.532), intra-Achilles tendon calcification (OR = 55.671, 95% CI = 11.233, 275.905), and increased calcaneal pitch angle (OR = 6.317). Based on our results, the actual size of Haglund deformity as we have reliably measured was not associated with IAT, suggesting a routine Haglund deformity resection may be unnecessary in the surgical treatment of IAT. If patients with Haglund deformity have posterior heel spur, intra-Achilles tendon calcification, or increased calcaneal pitch angle, a higher chance of IAT can be predicted. Level III, retrospective cohort study.

Success Rate of Non-Operative Treatment of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: Non-operative treatment of Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is historically thought to be effective in 50-70% of cases, the success rate of modern non-operative treatment is not well defined in the current literature. The purpose of this study is to define the success rate of modern non-operative treatment of IAT. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify 133 patients (137 ankles) who received either surgical or non- surgical treatment of IAT at an academic medical center between September 2015 and June 2019. The success rates of various non-operative treatment strategies were recorded in order to determine which, if any, had the highest success rate. Patient factors including demographic factors, comorbidities, modifiable risk factors, patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), physical exam findings, and radiographic parameters were recorded to determine those that are associated with the failure of conservative management of IAT. Results: The overall success rate of non-operative treatment was 82.5% and the average time from initial diagnosis to surgery was 198.83 (range, 28-486) days. There was no difference in treatment method between those successfully treated conservatively and those who went on to require surgery. At first encounter, patients who later received surgery were significantly more likely to be female (91.7% vs. 66.4%; p=.013) and have higher VAS pain scores (6.54 vs. 5.10; p=.045), lower SF-12 physical scores (25.16 vs. 35.61; p&lt;.001), hypertension (79.2% vs. 52.2%; p=.015), Haglund's Deformity on physical exam (95.7% vs. 71.3%; p=.014), and greater cross-sectional tendon disease involvement on MRI (43.5% vs. 28.0%; p=.001). (Table 1) Conclusion: The success rates of non-operative treatment for IAT may be higher than historical reports, at just over 80%. Several patient factors were shown to be associated with the failure of conservative management of IAT. Orthopaedic surgeons should use this information to provide more accurate patient-specific counseling on the most appropriate treatment strategies for IAT.