Treatment Of Achilles Tendon Rupture Research Articles

Characteristics of L-PRP preparations for treating Achilles tendon rupture within the PATH-2 study

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous preparation that has been claimed to improve healing and mechanobiological properties of tendons both in vitro and in vivo. In this sub-study from the PATH-2 (PRP in Achilles Tendon Healing-2) trial, we report the cellular and growth factor content and quality of the Leukocyte-rich PRP (L-PRP) (N = 103) prepared using a standardized commercial preparation method across 19 different UK centers. Baseline whole blood cell counts (red cells, leukocyte and platelets) demonstrated that the two groups were well-matched. L-PRP analysis gave a mean platelet count of 852.6 x 109/L (SD 438.96), a mean leukocyte cell count of 15.13 x 109/L (SD 10.28) and a mean red blood cell count of 0.91 x 1012/L (SD 1.49). The activation status of the L-PRP gave either low or high expression levels of the degranulation marker CD62p before and after ex-vivo platelet activation respectively. TGF-β, VEGF, PDGF, IGF and FGFb mean concentrations were 131.92 ng/ml, 0.98 ng/ml, 55.34 ng/ml, 78.2 ng/ml and 111.0 pg/ml respectively with expected correlations with both platelet and leukocyte counts. While PATH-2 results demonstrated that there was no evidence L-PRP is effective for improving clinical outcomes at 24 weeks after Achilles tendon rupture, our findings support that the majority of L-PRP properties were within the method specification and performance.

Does size of tendon gap affect patient-reported outcome following Achilles tendon rupture treated with functional rehabilitation?

Functional rehabilitation has become an increasingly popular treatment for Achilles tendon rupture (ATR), providing comparably low re-rupture rates to surgery, while avoiding risks of surgical complications. Limited evidence exists on whether gap size should affect patient selection for this treatment option. The aim of this study was to assess if size of gap between ruptured tendon ends affects patient-reported outcome following ATR treated with functional rehabilitation. Analysis of prospectively collected data on all 131 patients diagnosed with ATR at Royal Berkshire Hospital, UK, from August 2016 to January 2019 and managed non-operatively was performed. Diagnosis was confirmed on all patients by dynamic ultrasound scanning and gap size measured with ankle in full plantarflexion. Functional rehabilitation using an established protocol was the preferred treatment. All non-operatively treated patients with completed Achilles Tendon Rupture Scores (ATRS) at a minimum of 12 months following injury were included. In all, 82 patients with completed ATRS were included in the analysis. Their mean age was 51 years (standard deviation (SD) 14). The mean ATRS was 76 (SD 19) at a mean follow-up of 20 months (SD 11) following injury. Gap inversely affected ATRS with a Pearson's correlation of -0.30 (p = 0.008). Mean ATRS was lower with gaps > 5 mm compared with ≤ 5 mm (73 (SD 21) vs 82 (SD 16); p = 0.031). Mean ATRS was lowest (70 (SD 23)) with gaps > 10 mm, with significant differences in perceived strength and pain. The overall re-rupture rate was two out of 131 (1.5%). Increasing gap size predicts lower patient-reported outcome, as measured by ATRS. Tendon gap > 5 mm may be a useful predictor in physically demanding individuals, and tendon gap > 10 mm for those with low physical demand. Further studies that control for gap size when comparing non-operative and operative treatment are required to assess if these patients may benefit from surgery, particularly when balanced against the surgical risks. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(11):1535-1541.

Achilles Injury and Access to Care in South Florida

Category:Hindfoot; AnkleIntroduction/Purpose:Achilles Tendon (AT) rupture is the most common tendon rupture in the lower extremity with an incidence of 2.1 AT ruptures per 100,000 person years. Due to the non-emergent nature of this injury, a delay in presentation may occur leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment; which may alter both nonoperative and operative management. Health insurance status may directly impact time to presentation for many patients. To our knowledge, no study has evaluated the effect of insurance status on delay in diagnosis and treatment of AT rupture.Methods:From December 2013 to December 2018, 89 patients with AT ruptures who underwent surgical management were identified by CPT code in a dual-institution retrospective chart analysis. Demographic and injury-specific data were obtained with attention to the date of injury, date of diagnosis, location of initial presentation (clinic vs. emergency room), and number of medical visits. A univariate two tail t test was used to compare various groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 to determine the effects of insurance type on the time to diagnosis and treatment of acute AT ruptures.Results:When compared to adequately insured patients (private and Medicare), underinsured patients (uninsured and Medicaid) experienced a significantly greater time from the date of: injury to first clinic visit (14.5 days versus 5.2 days, p < 0.001), first clinic visit to surgery (34.6 days versus 4.8 days, p < 0.002), injury to surgery date (48.9 days versus 9.8 days, p < 0.001), initial presentation to when magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was obtained (48.1 days versus 1.9 days, p < 0.002), and initial presentation to diagnosis (22.8 days versus 1.71 days, p < 0.029).Conclusion:Disparities in access to care are intimately related to insurance status. Uninsured and medicaid patients are subject to institutional delays and decreased access to care when compared to patients with private insurance. Under and uninsured patients are significantly more likely to present to the emergency department for their initial visit, potentially resulting in increased healthcare costs. Emergency department visits as well as difficulty in obtaining an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon may directly contribute to delay in diagnosis.

The Clinical Outcomes After a Novel Mini-Open Achilles Tendon Repair

Category:Sports; OtherIntroduction/Purpose:Achilles tendon ruptures are a common sporting injury, mostly occurring in men over the age of 40. Operative repair of Achilles tendon can lead to earlier return to activity and improved function in the active population. Mini-open repairs have recently been described for effective treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures. We aim to describe our unique mini- open Achilles tendon repair technique and to report our clinical outcomes.Methods:We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients from January 2010 and July 2019 who underwent a 3cm mini-open Achilles tendon repairs, without additional targeting devices, for closed acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Patients were followed up for a minimum of one year. We recorded pre- and postoperative Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), visual analog scale (VAS), and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) scores. Subgroup analysis were performed for acute repairs (< 2 weeks) and subacute (2-6 weeks). Two-sided student’s t-test to compare preoperative and postoperative outcomes for continuous variables. Chi-square analyses were used to determine the strength of correlation between categorical variables. A p-value of < .05 was considered significant for all statistical analyses.Results:A total of 33 patients met the inclusion criteria and are included in this study. The mean age of our cohort was 43.8 years old (range 22-78) and 78.8% of patients were male. The mean length of follow-up was 4.4 years (range 1.0-9.8 years). The mean time from injury to surgery was 15.6 days (1-45 days). Patients reported a mean return to their previous level of activity at a mean of 5.6 months (range 1.7-22.1). The mean pre- and postoperative outcomes scores improved significantly for both the acute and subacute repair groups (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences for postoperative outcomes scores between the acute and subacute Achilles repair groups (p > 0.05). There were no reported complications in our patient cohort.Conclusion:Patients showed improvements in postoperative patient-reported outcome scores with minimal complications. There were no significant difference in outcomes for acute versus subacute repairs. Our mini-open Achilles tendon repair, which required no additional targeting instrumentation, has shown favorable mid-term results.

Development of an Anatomic Landmark-Based Measurement of the Achilles Tendon

Category:Ankle; SportsIntroduction/Purpose:Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs) occurred with an incidence of 2.5 per 100,000 person-years in 2016. This rate has been increasing over the last decade and it has been postulated that this is due to the increasing activity level of older people. With a high and increasing incidence of such a significant injury, further investigation must be done to optimize the treatment of ATRs. The degree of tendon lengthening has been correlated with clinical outcomes, with greater elongation being associated with worse outcomes. MRI and ultrasound techniques have been validated in measurement of Achilles tendon. We sought to develop a reliable, reproducible, and accurate measurement technique utilizing the manual palpation of anatomic landmarks that will be cost effective as well as convenient to perform, particularly intraoperatively.Methods:Both lower legs of 10 healthy subjects without history of Achilles tendon injury were examined using ultrasound and anatomic landmark-based measurement techniques. Subjects sat upright on the exam table and legs were held in flexion at the knee with slight external rotation with the ankle held at 90o, allowing the lower leg to rest flat on the exam table. The length from the medial head of the gastrocnemius to the bottom of the non-compressed heal pad was measured by three raters using the ultrasound and anatomic landmark-based techniques for inter-rater reliability. The measurements were repeated one week later for intra-rater reliability. Ultrasound measurements had excellent inter-rater (0.93) and intra-rater (0.82) correlation coefficients, while good inter-rater (0.76) and intra-rater (0.86) correlation coefficients were observed among anatomic landmark-based measurements. Achilles tendon length measured with ultrasound and anatomic landmark-based techniques were compared using a paired t-test.Results:The anatomic landmark-based technique produces longer measurements of the Achilles tendon (23.2 cm (sd 2.6 cm)) compared to measurements made using ultrasound (22.4 cm (sd 2.6)) (p<0.001). On average, the anatomic landmark-based technique measures 0.8 cm (95% Confidence Interval: 0.4, 1.2) longer than the ultrasound technique. The intraclass correlation coefficient between the anatomic landmark-based and ultrasound measurements is 0.90.Conclusion:While the anatomic landmark-based technique produces a longer measurement of the Achilles tendon, it may still be a reproducible measurement tool. If the change in tendon length is of interest, this technique may be a valid and simple way to monitor that variable. Comparison with MRI may be warranted to better determine the accuracy of the anatomic landmark-based Achilles tendon measure. These results compared with MRI may set the stage for further evaluation of this measurement technique in the operating room in subjects undergoing ATR repair.

The effect of fibrin clot and C vitamin on the surgical treatment of Achilles tendon injury in the rat model✰

BackgroundThis study aimed to determine the histological, biochemical, and biomechanical efficacy of fibrin clot and vitamin C in the healing of Achilles tendon ruptures (ATR) in a rat model. Methods52 adult Wistar-Albino rats (300–450 g) were used in the study. 12 rats were divided into four groups as Monitor (Group I), Control (Group II), Fibrin Clot (Group III), Fibrin Clot with vitamin C (Group IV). Four rats were used for fibrin clot preparation. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) were measured on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days. Four rats were sacrificed on the 21st day from each group for histological evaluation. The rest of the rats were sacrificed at 42nd day, half for biomechanical and a half for histological evaluation. ResultsThe 42nd-day HSS score of group IV was significantly lower than those of group I, group II and group III (p = 0.036, p = 0.019, and p = 0.036, respectively). Group IV showed a significantly higher Maximum force N value than those of group I, group II and group III (p = 0.034, p = 0.034 and, p = 0.025, respectively). The blood FGF and VEGF levels of group III and group IV on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days were higher than those of group I and group II (p < 0.05). ConclusionFibrin clot and vitamin C produced a stronger tendon structure in terms of biomechanics while providing histological and biochemically better quality tendon healing in the surgical treatment of ATR. This model can be used to accelerate high-quality tendon healing after ATR. Level of EvidenceLevel II, experimental study.

Achilles Tendon Rupture: Can the Tendon Gap on Ultrasound Scan Predict the Outcome of Functional Rehabilitation Program?

Background and objectives There is a growing use of functional rehabilitation programs for the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. Factors such as patient age and level of activity have been used to guide the decision. One of the debated indications is the gap size between the ruptured ends of the tendon. This study aims to define any correlation between the amount of the initial gap between tendon ends and patients outcome treated with the functional rehabilitation program.Method A prospective case series study of all patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated non-surgically with the functional rehabilitation program between 2016 and 2018. The tendon gap was measured with an ultrasound scan on the initial presentation. Patients were followed for a minimum of 12 months and assessed for Achilles Tendon Rupture Score (ATRS), plantarflexion strength, and re-rupture rate. Results A total of 56 patients completed one-year follow-up, and 2 patients had re-ruptures. The mean plantar flexion gap was 13.7 mm. The mean ATRS at 12 months was 85.12. There was no statistically significant correlation between the final ATRS and the mean rupture gap.Conclusion The outcome following non-operative functional rehabilitation treatment of rupture Achilles tendon did not correlate with the size of the tendon gap, and authors recommend that decision on functional rehabilitation should not be based on these criteria.

Noninsertional Tibialis Anterior Tendon Rupture Managed With Midsubstance SpeedBridge Repair

Tibialis anterior tendon rupture is uncommon but can lead to substantial functional impairment and persisting pain. Operative repair of the ruptured tendon is warranted in most cases, but little data exist on outcomes and surgical techniques for repair. To date, the literature contains only small retrospective review series and case reports on the management of this injury. We introduce a new technique for repair of lacerated tibialis anterior tendons using the Midsubstance SpeedBridge. This method is an adaptation of a previously described technique for treating Achilles tendon ruptures. The benefits of this construct are that it allows for direct tendon-bone fixation, it is knotless, and it can be preloaded to minimize postoperative repair elongation. Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level V. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Modified Bunnell suture repair versus bundle-to-bundle suture repair for acute Achilles tendon rupture: a prospective comparative study of patients aged

BackgroundThis study aimed to compare the operative outcome of percutaneous repair (modified Bunnell suture technique) versus open repair (bundle-to-bundle suture technique) of acute Achilles tendon rupture.MethodsSeventy-two consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture were evaluated in this prospective study. Thirty-six patients were treated using the bundle-to-bundle suture technique (group A), and 36 patients were treated using the modified Bunnell suture technique (group B). All patients underwent functional examination comprising measurement of the calf muscle circumference and performance of the single-leg heel-rise test. The length and diameter of the Achilles tendon were compared between the injured and uninjured sides on magnetic resonance imaging. The number of single-leg heel rises (height > 5 cm) performed within 15 s was compared between the injured and uninjured sides. The ankle range of motion was also recorded. The Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale score, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score were used to evaluate the clinical outcome at 12 months postoperatively.ResultsA total of 61 patients were followed up. The mean follow-up duration did not significantly differ between group A (23.73 ± 2.81 months) and group B (22.61 ± 3.96 months). However, there were significant differences between groups in the heel-rise test (group A, 1.74 ± 0.96; group B, 2.37 ± 1.42) and length of the Achilles tendon (group A, 11.98 ± 1.64 cm; group B, 11.11 ± 1.74 cm). The calf circumference of the injured side was significantly larger in group A than in group B (p = 0.043). The cross-sectional diameter of the Achilles tendon was significantly smaller in group A than group B. At final follow-up, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the ATRS, AOFAS score, or VAS score. One patient in group A had delayed wound healing, which resolved in 40 days.ConclusionsPatients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with open repair (bundle-to-bundle suture technique) achieved a better clinical outcome regarding the heel-rise test and calf circumference compared with those treated with percutaneous repair (modified Bunnell suture technique).Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000035229, 8/4/2020, Retrospectively registered.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Traditional Plaster Cast Rehabilitation With Functional Walking Boot Rehabilitation for Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures

Background: There has been a shift toward functional nonoperative rehabilitation in the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) despite a shortage of studies directly comparing nonoperative functional rehabilitation with traditional nonoperative immobilization. Purpose: To compare patient-reported outcome measures and functional outcomes for nonoperatively treated ATR with traditional cast immobilization or functional rehabilitation in a walking boot. Study Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: In a single-center nonblinded study, 140 patients were randomized to compare treatment for acute ATR in (1) an immobilizing cast in reducing degrees of equinus over a 10-week period with 8 weeks of nonweightbearing mobilization or (2) a walking boot for 8 weeks with reducing equinus and immediate full weightbearing. Exclusion criteria were delayed presentation >2 weeks after injury, tendon reruptures, and latex allergy. Analysis was undertaken on an intention-to-treat basis. Results: A total of 69 patients (median age, 41 years [interquartile range, 33-50.5 years]) were randomized to walking boot treatment and 71 patients (41 [32-49]) to cast treatment. At 6 months, patients treated in a walking boot reported better Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) dysfunction index (6.62 [2.21-12.50] vs 10.66 [4.96-13.42]; P = .050), SMFA bother index (7.29 [2.08-14.58] vs 10.42 [5.73-19.27]; P = .04), Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (71.5 [53.50-84.25] vs 54.0 [37-76]; P = .01), and Foot and Ankle Questionnaire core score (91 [81.89-97.55] vs 85 [78.25-92.09]; P = .04). At 1 year, there was no difference in SMFA dysfunction index (2.21 [0.74-5.88] vs 2.94 [1.47-6.62]; P = .25), SMFA bother index (2.08 [0-9.38] vs 5.21 [0.52-11.98]; P = .25), Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (92 [72.50-96] vs 87.5 [66.0-94.75]; P = .21), or Foot and Ankle Questionnaire core score (97.75 [89.46-99.00] vs 95.50 [90.88-97.50]; P = .18). Rerupture occurred in 5 and 11 patients (P = .075) and venous thromboembolism in 2 and 3 patients (P = .67) in the boot and cast groups, respectively. Fifteen patients in the boot group but none in the cast group had skin problems (P < .001). Patients treated in a boot returned to driving at a median 12 weeks (vs 13 weeks for cast; P = .045), but there was no difference in time to return to work (P = .48). Conclusion: Functional rehabilitation with early weightbearing is a safe alternative to traditional immobilizing treatment for ATR, giving better early functional outcomes, albeit with a higher incidence of transient minor skin complications. Registration: NCT02598843 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).

Patient perception of Achilles tendon rupture treatment

The optimal treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures (ATRs) is a subject of some debate amongst orthopedic surgeons. Many patients’ understanding of Achilles injuries is limited and may be more informed by popular culture than anything objective. We sought to assess patient perceptions of ATRs using a proprietary questionnaire and correlate that with demographic information and the health literacy of the patient. Patients presenting with an Achilles tendon injury were asked to fill out a demographic form, the Literacy in Musculoskeletal Problems (LiMP) survey, to assess musculoskeletal health literacy, and a 22-question survey on ATRs designed to assess patient knowledge and perception of ATRs. Seventy percent of patients responded that surgery with or without other modalities is the most appropriate treatment for ATRs, while only 20% of patients responded that nonoperative treatment is most appropriate. Perceptions of treatment were not associated with demographic data or LiMP scores and appear to be biased to some degree towards surgery. In a setting in which the optimal treatment has not been fully worked out by surgeons, it is difficult to tell what influence patient perceptions may have on treatment, although it is possible these patient perceptions may cause surgeons to be more surgically aggressive.

Treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture \u2013 a multicentre, non-inferiority analysis

BackgroundWhile numerous clinical studies have compared the surgical and non-surgical treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR), there are no studies that have performed a non-inferiority analysis between treatments.MethodsData from patients who were included in five randomised controlled trials from two different centres in Sweden were used. Outcomes at 1 year after ATR consisted of the patient-reported Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) and the functional heel-rise tests reported as the limb symmetry index (LSI). The non-inferiority statistical 10% margin was calculated as a reflection of a clinically acceptable disadvantage in ATRS and heel-rise outcome when comparing treatments.ResultsA total of 422 patients (350 males and 72 females) aged between 18 and 71 years, with a mean age of 40.6 (standard deviation 8.6), were included. A total of 363 (86%) patients were treated surgically. The ATRS (difference (Δ) = − 0.253 [95% confidence interval (CI); − 5.673;5.785] p = 0.36) and LSI of heel-rise height (difference = 1.43 [95% CI; − 2.43;5.59] p = 0.81), total work (difference = 0.686 [95% CI; − 4.520;6.253] p = 0.67), concentric power (difference = 2.93 [95% CI; − 6.38;11.90] p = 0.063) and repetitions (difference = − 1.30 [95% CI; − 6.32;4.13] p = 0.24) resulted in non-inferiority within a Δ − 10% margin for patients treated non-surgically.ConclusionThe non-surgical treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures is not inferior compared with that of surgery in terms of 1-year patient-reported and functional outcomes.

Achilles tendon elongation after acute rupture: is it a problem? A systematic review.

Rupture of the Achilles tendon (AT) is a common injury. Strength deficits may persist over the long term, possibly owing to elongation of the tendon or inferior mechanical properties. This study aimed to provide a systematic review of the literature on the prevalence and consequences of tendon elongation in patients after acute AT rupture treatment. It was hypothesized that an elongated tendon would be associated with a worse clinical outcome. The databases for MEDLINE, CENTRAL and Web of Science were searched. Clinical studies related to AT rupture reporting tendon elongation and clinical or functional outcomes, with a minimum follow-up of 6months, were eligible for inclusion. Only studies testing for statistical correlations (SCs) between AT elongation and other outcomes were eligible, with the exception of biomechanical studies in which statistically significant AT elongation was found to be a generalized finding in the study group. For these studies to be eligible, the study group had to be compared with a healthy control group, or the injured limb compared with the uninjured limb, regarding biomechanical parameters. Twenty-eight papers were selected for inclusion. Mean AT elongation measured with imaging techniques ranged from 0.15 to 3.1cm (n = 17). Ten studies investigated SCs with Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), in which two found SCs with tendon elongation. Five studies reported strength and power evaluations and their correlation with AT elongation, with two having found SCs between decreased strength and tendon elongation. In ten studies reporting data on biomechanical tests, nine found influence of tendon elongation. In this group, four out of five studies found SCs with biomechanical parameters. Fair evidence of the influence of tendon elongation in biomechanical parameters was found. In a general population, evidence of a detrimental effect of tendon elongation on PROMs or functional strength at follow-up was not found in this review. Level IV.

Functional and early weight-bearing protocol for achilles tendon ruptures: a retrospective study.

Conservative treatment of achilles tendon rupture (ATR) might be favoured in centres with an early weight-bearing protocol, but no consensus exists on the clear definition of an early weight-bearing protocol. The aim of this study is to evaluate the introduction of an early weight-bearing conservative treatment protocol in patients with ATR compared to patients without this protocol. A single-centre retrospective study was performed. All patients presenting with an ATR during a 10-year period were included. Between January 1st 2008 and December 31st 2015, all patients were included for either operative or conservative treatment without an early weight-bearing protocol (non-EWB). Between January 1st 2016 and 30th June 2019, patients were, primarily, treated conservatively with early weight-bearing protocol (EWB). A primary-outcome parameter was re-rupture, and secondary-outcome parameters were treatment-related complications. In the period 2008-2015, 246 patients were treated with non-EWB. In the period 2016-2019, 58 patients were treated conservatively with EWB. No significant differences were found in re-rupture rates between non-EWB (5.3%) and conservative EWB (6.9%) (p = 0.536) or conservative non-EWB (9.4%) and conservative EWB (6.9%) (p = 0.283). Pulmonary embolism (1.0%) and deep venous thrombosis (1.0%) were observed in operative non-EWB patients. In conservative EWB patients, superficial pressure ulcers (5.2%) and treatment failure (5.2%) were observed. Conservative treatment of ATR with an early weight-bearing protocol showed similar re-rupture rates and complication rates compared to conservative and operative treatments without an early weight-bearing protocol.

Age and Tightness of Repair Are Predictors of Heel-Rise Height After Achilles Tendon Rupture.

Background:Achilles tendon rupture leads to weakness of ankle plantarflexion. Treatment of Achilles tendon rupture should aim to restore function while minimizing weakness and complications of management.Purpose:To determine the influence of factors (age, sex, body mass index [BMI], weight, time from injury to operative repair, and tightness of repair) in the initial surgical management of patients after an acute Achilles tendon rupture on 12-month functional outcome assessment after percutaneous and minimally invasive repair.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:From May 2012 to January 2018, patients sustaining an Achilles tendon rupture receiving operative repair were prospectively evaluated. Tightness of repair was quantified using the intraoperative Achilles tendon resting angle (ATRA). Heel-rise height index (HRHI) was used as the primary 12-month outcome variable. Secondary outcome measures included Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) and Tegner score. Stepwise multiple regression was used to create a model to predict 12-month HRHI.Results:A total of 122 patients met the inclusion criteria for data analysis (mean ± SD age, 44.1 ± 10.8 years; 78% male; mean ± SD BMI, 28.1 ± 4.3 kg/m2). The elapsed time to surgery was 6.5 ± 4.0 days. At 12-month follow-up, patients had an HRHI of 82% ± 16% and performed 82% ± 17% of repetitions compared with the noninjured side. Participants had a mean ATRS of 87 ± 15 and a median Tegner score of 5 (range, 1-9), with a reduction in Tegner score of 2 from preinjury levels. The relative ATRA at 12 months was –4.8° ± 3.9°. Multiple regression identified younger age (B = ±0.006; P < .001) and greater intraoperative ATRA (B = 0.005; P = .053) as predictors of more symmetrical 12-month HRHI (R 2 = 0.19; P < .001; n = 120).Conclusion:Age was found to be the strongest predictor of outcome after Achilles tendon rupture. The most important modifiable risk factor was the tightness of repair. It is recommended that repair be performed as tight as possible to optimize heel-rise height 1 year after Achilles tendon rupture and possibly to reduce tendon elongation.

Achilles Tendon Reconstruction with Semitendinous Tendon Grafts Is Associated with a High Complication Rate.

In the presence of a large gap where end-to-end repair of the torn Achilles tendon is difficult and V-Y advancement would likely be insufficient, augmentation is sometimes required. At our institute we have used primarily the hamstring autograft augmentation technique for the past two decades. The aim of this study was to analyze the complications after surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture with semitendinous tendon augmentation. We retrospectively analyzed 58 consecutive patients treated with semitendinous tendon autograft augmentation at the Helsinki University Hospital between January 1, 2006, and January 1, 2016. During the study period, 58 patients were operated on by six different surgeons. Of 14 observed complications (24%), seven were major and seven were minor. Most of the complications were infections (n = 10 [71%]) The infections were noted within a mean of 62 days postoperatively (range, 22-180 days). Seven patients with a complication underwent repeated operation because of skin edge necrosis and deep infection (five patients), hematoma formation (one patient), and a repeated rupture (one patient). In light of the experience we have had with autologous semitendinous tendon graft augmentation, we cannot recommend this technique, and, hence, we should abandon reconstruction of Achilles tendon ruptures with autologous semitendinous tendon grafts at our institute. Instead, other augmentation techniques, such as flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer, should be used.

Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Pilot Economic Decision Analysis.

Background:The operative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures has been associated with lower rerupture rates and better function but also a risk of surgery-related complications compared with nonoperative treatment, which may provide improved outcomes with accelerated rehabilitation protocols. However, economic decision analyses integrating the updated costs of both treatment options are limited in the literature.Purpose:To compare the cost-effectiveness of operative and nonoperative treatment of acute Achilles tendon tears.Study Design:Economic and decision analysis; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:An economic decision model was built to assess the cost-utility ratio (CUR) of open primary repair versus nonoperative treatment for acute Achilles tendon ruptures, based on direct costs from the practices of sports medicine and foot and ankle surgeons at a single tertiary academic center, with published outcome probabilities and patient utility data. Multiway sensitivity analyses were performed to reflect the range of data.Results:Nonoperative treatment was more cost-effective in the average scenario (nonoperative CUR, US$520; operative CUR, US$1995), but crossover occurred during the sensitivity analysis (nonoperative CUR range, US$224-US$2079; operative CUR range, US$789-US$8380). Operative treatment cost an extra average marginal CUR of US$1475 compared with nonoperative treatment, assuming uneventful healing in both treatment arms. The sensitivity analysis demonstrated a decreased marginal CUR of operative treatment when the outcome utility was maximized, and rerupture rates were minimized compared with nonoperative treatment.Conclusion:Nonoperative treatment was more cost-effective in average scenarios. Crossover indicated that open primary repair would be favorable for maximized outcome utility, such as that for young athletes or heavy laborers. The treatment decision for acute Achilles tendon ruptures should be individualized. These pilot results provide inferences for further longitudinal analyses incorporating future clinical evidence.

Rehabilitation and Return to Sport After Nonsurgical Treatment of Achilles Tendon Rupture

ABSTRACT This article presents an overview of the rehabilitation and return to sport following a nonsurgical Achilles tendon (AT) rupture. A brief description of the recognition and diagnosis of the injury, selection of nonoperative treatment, outcome measures, importance of range of motion, purpose of functional rehabilitation, description of the rehabilitation phases, and return to play progressions are included. A well-designed early functional rehabilitation program is more important than the method of treatment in outcomes and functional performance with AT ruptures.

Plaster cast versus functional brace for non-surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture (UKSTAR): a multicentre randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation

SummaryBackgroundPatients with Achilles tendon rupture who have non-operative treatment have traditionally been treated with immobilisation of the tendon in plaster casts for several weeks. Functional bracing is an alternative non-operative treatment that allows earlier mobilisation, but evidence on its effectiveness and safety is scarce. The aim of the UKSTAR trial was to compare functional and quality-of-life outcomes and resource use in patients treated non-operatively with plaster cast versus functional brace.MethodsUKSTAR was a pragmatic, superiority, multicentre, randomised controlled trial done at 39 hospitals in the UK. Patients (aged ≥16 years) who were being treated non-operatively for a primary Achilles tendon rupture at the participating centres were potentially eligible. The exclusion criteria were presenting more than 14 days after injury, previous rupture of the same Achilles tendon, or being unable to complete the questionnaires. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a plaster cast or functional brace using a centralised web-based system. Because the interventions were clearly visible, neither patients nor clinicians could be masked. Participants wore the intervention for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was patient-reported Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS) at 9 months, analysed in the modified intention-to-treat population (all patients in the groups to which they were allocated, excluding participants who withdrew or died before providing any outcome data). The main safety outcome was the incidence of tendon re-rupture. Resource use was recorded from a health and personal social care perspective. The trial is registered with ISRCTN, ISRCTN62639639.FindingsBetween Aug 15, 2016, and May 31, 2018, 1451 patients were screened, of whom 540 participants (mean age 48·7 years, 79% male) were randomly allocated to receive plaster cast (n=266) or functional brace (n=274). 527 (98%) of 540 were included in the modified intention-to-treat population, and 13 (2%) were excluded because they withdrew or died before providing any outcome data. There was no difference in ATRS at 9 months post injury (cast group n=244, mean ATRS 74∙4 [SD 19∙8]; functional brace group n=259, ATRS 72∙8 [20∙4]; adjusted mean difference –1∙38 [95% CI –4∙9 to 2∙1], p=0·44). There was no difference in the rate of re-rupture of the tendon (17 [6%] of 266 in the plaster cast group vs 13 [5%] of 274 in the functional brace group, p=0·40). The mean total health and personal social care cost was £1181 for the plaster cast group and £1078 for the functional bract group (mean between-group difference –£103 [95% CI –289 to 84]).InterpretationTraditional plaster casting was not found to be superior to early weight-bearing in a functional brace, as measured by ATRS, in the management of patients treated non-surgically for Achilles tendon rupture. Clinicians may consider the use of early weight-bearing in a functional brace as a safe and cost-effective alternative to plaster casting.FundingUK National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment Programme.

Plaster cast versus functional bracing for Achilles tendon rupture: the UKSTAR RCT.

Achilles tendon rupture affects > 11,000 people each year in the UK, leading to prolonged periods away from work, sports and social activities. Traditionally, the ruptured tendon is held still in a plaster cast for ≥ 8 weeks. Functional bracing is an alternative treatment that allows patients to mobilise earlier, but there is little evidence about how bracing affects patients' recovery. To measure the Achilles Tendon Rupture Score, quality of life, complications and resource use of patients receiving non-operative treatment for an Achilles tendon rupture treated with plaster cast compared with those treated with functional bracing. This was a multicentre, randomised, pragmatic, two-group superiority trial. The setting was 39 NHS hospitals. A total of 540 adult patients treated non-operatively for Achilles tendon rupture were randomised from July 2016 to May 2018. Exclusion criteria included presenting after 14 days, having had previous rupture and being unable to complete questionnaires. A total of 266 participants had a plaster cast applied, with their toes initially pointing to the floor. The cast was changed over 8 weeks to bring the foot into a walking position. A total of 274 patients had a functional brace that facilitated immediate weight-bearing. The foot position was adjusted within the brace over the same 8-week period. Achilles Tendon Rupture Score is patient reported and assesses symptoms and physical activity related to the Achilles tendon (score 0-100, with 100 being the best possible outcome). The secondary outcomes were quality of life, complications and resource use at 8 weeks and at 3, 6 and 9 months. Participants had a mean age of 48.7 years, were predominantly male (79%) and had ruptured their tendon during sports (70%). Over 93% of participants completed follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference in Achilles Tendon Rupture Score at 9 months post injury (-1.38, 95% confidence interval -4.9 to 2.1). There was a statistically significant difference in Achilles Tendon Rupture Score at 8 weeks post injury in favour of the functional brace group (5.53, 95% confidence interval 2.0 to 9.1), but not at 3 or 6 months post injury. Quality of life showed the same pattern, with a statistically significant difference at 8 weeks post injury but not at later time points. Complication profiles were similar in both groups. Re-rupture of the tendon occurred 17 times in the plaster cast group and 13 times in the functional brace group. There was no difference in resource use. This trial provides strong evidence that early weight-bearing in a functional brace provides similar outcomes to traditional plaster casting and is safe for patients receiving non-operative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. The probability that functional bracing is cost-effective exceeds 95% for the base-case imputed analysis, assuming a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year. On average, functional brace is associated with lower costs (-£103, 95% confidence interval -£290 to £84) and more quality-adjusted life-years (0.015, 95% confidence interval -0.0013 to 0.030) than plaster cast. Some patients declined to participate in the trial, but only a small proportion of these declined because they had a preference for one treatment or another. Overall, 58% of eligible patients agreed to participate, so the participants are broadly representative of the population under investigation. Although the UK Study of Tendo Achilles Rehabilitation provides guidance with regard to early management, rehabilitation following Achilles tendon rupture is prolonged and further research is required to define the optimal mode of rehabilitation after the initial cast/brace has been removed. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN62639639. This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 24, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.