Objective To compare the effectiveness of the 3 methods (traditional open Achilles tendon anastomosis, minimally invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon anastomosis, and Achilles tendon anastomosis limited incision) for acuteAchilles tendon rupture so as to provide a reference for the choice of cl inical treatment plans. Methods Between December 2007 and March 2010, 69 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture were treated by traditional open Achilles tendon anastomosis (traditional group, n=23), by minimally invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon anastomosis (minimally invasive group, n=23), and by Achilles tendon anastomosis l imited incision (l imited incision group,n=23). There was no significant difference in gender, age, mechanism of injury, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score between 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results Minimally invasive group and limited incision group were significantly better than traditional group in hospital ization days and blood loss (P lt; 0.01). Incision infection occurred in 2 cases of traditional group, and healing of incision by first intention was achieved in all patients of the other 2 groups, showing significant difference in the complication rate (P lt; 0.05). Re-rupture of Achilles tendon occurred in 1 case (4.3%) of minimally invasive group and limited incision group respectively; no re-rupture was found in traditional group (0), showing significant difference when compared with the other 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). All cases were followed up 12-18 months with an average of 14.9 months. The function of the joint was restored. The AOFAS score was more than 90 points in 3 groups at 12 months after operation, showing no significant difference among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The above 3 procedures can be used to treat acute Achilles tendon rupture. However, minimally invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon anastomosis and Achilles tendon anastomosis limited incision have the advantages of less invasion, good heal ing, short hospital ization days, and less postoperative complication, and have the disadvantage of increased risk for re-rupture of Achilles tendon after operations.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of flexor hallucis longus tendon harvested using a minimally invasive technique in reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture. Methods Between July 2006 and December 2009, 22 patients (22 feet) with chronic Achilles tendon rupture were treated, including 16 males and 6 females with a median age of 48 years (range, 28-65 years). The disease duration was 27-1 025 days (median, 51 days). Twenty-one patients had hoofl ikemovement’s history and 1 patient had no obvious inducement. The result of Thompson test was positive in 22 cases. The score was 53.04 ± 6.75 according to American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score system. MRI indicated that the gap of the chronic Achilles tendon rupture was 4.2-8.0 cm. A 3 cm-long incision was made vertically in the plantar aspect of the midfoot and a 1 cm-long transverse incision was made in a plantar flexor crease at the base of the great toe to harvest flexor hallucis longus tendon. The flexor hallucis longus tendon was 10.5-13.5 cm longer from tuber calcanei to the end of the Achilles tendon, and then the tendon was fixed to the tuber calcanei using interface screws or anchor nail after they were woven to form reflexed 3-bundle and sutured. Results Wound healed by first intention in all patients and no early compl ication occurred. Twenty-two patients were followed up 12-42 months (mean, 16.7 months). At 12 months after operation, The AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score was 92.98 ± 5.72, showing significant difference when compared with that before operation (t= —40.903, P=0.000). The results were excellent in 18 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 90.9%. No sural nerve injury, posterior tibial nerve injury, plantar painful scar, medial plantar nerve injury, and lateral plantar nerve injury occurred. Conclusion Chronic Achilles tendon rupture reconstruction with flexor hallucis longus tendon harvested using a minimally invasive technique offers a desirable outcome in operative recovery, tendon fixation, and complications.
Objective To evaluate the clinical result of allogeneic tendon in treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture.Methods FromJuly 1996 to November 2000, 6 cases of chronic Achilles tendon rupture were treated by use of allogeneic flexor tendon to repair Achilles tendon with Bosworth way. Five cases were followed up 27-53 months with an average of 38.5 months.Results According to Arner-Lindholm criteria for curative result, the result was excellent in 1 case and good in 4 cases.Conclusion Allogeneic tendonin repair of chronic Achilles tendon is effective. It can avoid the injury and complication caused by autograft.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of channel-assisted minimally invasive repair system (CAMIR) in treatment of the Myerson types Ⅰ and Ⅱchronic Achilles tendon rupture.MethodsBetween May 2016 and August 2017, 19 patients with Myerson types Ⅰ and Ⅱchronic Achilles tendon ruptures were treated with CAMIR. There were 14 males and 5 females, aged from 21 to 48 years, with an average age of 34.5 years. The disease duration was 5-9 weeks (mean, 7.5 weeks). The preoperative Thompson tests of affected ankles showed positive. There were 11 cases of Myerson type Ⅰwith the gaps of Achilles tendon defect of 1-2 cm (mean, 1.58 cm), and 8 cases of Myerson type Ⅱwith the gaps of Achilles tendon defect of 2.5-4.0 cm (mean, 3.16 cm). The ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion range of motion were measured before and after operation; the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score was used to assess the patients’ ankle joint function.ResultsNo major blood vessels, nerves, and other tissue structures were damaged during the operation; 3 cases of Myerson type Ⅰ were converted to Myerson type Ⅱ according to the gaps of the defect after the scar tissue was removed during the operation. After operation, the depressed part of the Achilles tendon disappeared, the continuity of the tendon was restored, and the Thompson tests were negative. All 19 patients were followed up 12-25 months, with an average of 14 months. All incisions healed by first intention, and no infection and skin necrosis occurred; all the pre-injury activities and exercise were restored at 6 months after operation. During the follow-up period, no heel pain or re-rupture occurred. At last follow-up, except that there was no significant difference in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion of Myerson type Ⅰ patients (t=2.118, P=0.071), the AOFAS ankle and hindfoot score, ankle plantarflexion range of motion of Myerson types Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients, and ankle dorsiflexion range of motion of Myerson type Ⅱ patients were significantly improved when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05). According to AOFAS ankle and hindfoot function score, the ankle joint function of type Ⅰ patients was excellent in 7 cases and good in 1 case, and of type Ⅱ patients were excellent in 8 cases, good in 2 cases, and fair in 1 case.ConclusionCAMIR is safe and effective in the treatment of Myerson types Ⅰ and Ⅱ chronic Achilles tendon rupture with fewer complications and better functional recovery of ankle joint.
Objective To investigate of effectiveness of free fascia lata flap assisted by indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in treatment of Myerson type Ⅱ and Ⅲ chronic Achilles tendon ruptures. Methods A clinical data of 14 patients with Myerson type Ⅱ and Ⅲ chronic Achilles tendon ruptures between March 2020 and June 2024 was retrospectively analyzed. All Achilles tendon defects were repaired with the free fascia lata assisted by ICGA during operation. There were 12 males and 2 females with an average age of 45.4 years (range, 26-71 years). The causes of Achilles tendon rupture included sports injury in 10 cases, Achilles tendon-related tendinopathy in 3 cases, and glass laceration injury in 1 case. The time from Achilles tendon rupture to operation was 4-40 weeks (median, 4.5 weeks). Preoperative MRI examination showed that the defect length of the Achilles tendon was 2-5 cm (mean, 3.2 cm). The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and MRI were taken to observe the foot blood vessels and the tendon healing. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Achilles Tendon rupture score (ATRS), and range of motion of the ankle joint were used to estimate the pain and function of ankle joint. Results All operations of the 14 patients were successfully completed. The operation time ranged from 3.00 to 4.50 hours (mean, 3.60 hours). The intraoperative blood loss ranged from 10 to 50 mL (mean, 36.4 mL). After operation, 1 patient had exudation at the recipient site, which healed after dressing change; the other incisions healed by first intention. All incisions at the donor sites healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6-36 months (mean, 11.4 months). The CDU of the foot at 1 month after operation showed that the blood flow signal of the perforating vessels of the fascia lata flap was clear. The ankle MRI at 2 months after operation showed the good continuity of the Achilles tendon. No complication such as the Achilles tendon re-rupture, ankle stiffness, or scar contracture occurred during follow-up. Compared with preoperative score, the AOFAS score, ATRS score, and plantar flexion range of motion significantly increased at 1, 3, and 6 months after operation (P<0.05), while the VAS score and dorsiflexion range of motion significantly decreased (P<0.05). The AOFAS score, ATRS score, and VAS score at 3 and 6 months further improved when compared with those at 1 month (P<0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the range of motion of the ankle joint (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in above indicators between 3 and 6 months after operation (P>0.05). Conclusion The treatment of Myerson type Ⅱ and Ⅲ chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with free fascia lata flaps under the guidance of ICGA has the advantages of precise design, fast healing, and a wide range of adaptability.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of a double-tsuge suture method with absorbable polydioxanone-cord (PDS-II) in repair of Achilles tendon ruptures. Methods Between January 2005 and December 2008, 36 patients suffering from Achilles tendon ruptures were treated operatively. Of 36 patients, there were 29 males and 7 females with a mean age of 36 years (range, 21-50 years), including 22 cases of acute closed injuries, 6 cases of fresh open injuries (the time between injury and hospital ization was 1-10 days, mean 6 days), and 8 cases of old closed injuries (the time between injury and hospital ization was 43-63 days, mean 51 days). The injury reasons were sport injury (25 cases), incisedinjury (6 cases), fall ing injury (4 cases), and other (1 case). The results of “heel test” and the Thompson sign were positive in all patients. Operation was performed by using a double-tsuge suture method with a No. 0 PDS-II. After the ankle joint was fixed with short leg plaster cast at 30° plantar flexion position for 6 weeks, the cast was removed and then functional exercises were done. Results Poor heal ing of incision occurred in 2 cases of old Achilles tendon ruptures and was cured after symptomatic treatment; heal ing of incision by first intention was achieved in the others. The patients were followed up 12 to 24 months (mean, 15 months). No rerupture, deep venous thromboembol ism, or reflex sympathetic dystrophy occurred during follow-up. When compared with the range of motion of ankle joint of normal side, 7 cases had no change, 16 cases had a loss of 1-10°, 12 cases had a loss of 10-20°, and 1 case had a loss of 25°. The average score was 90 (range, 74-96) according to Termann cl inical evaluation criterion; the results were excellent in 24 cases, good in 11 cases, and fair in 1 case, and the excellent and good rate was 97.2%. Conclusion The double-tsuge suture method is easy-to-operate, which has the smallest interference to the blood supply of Achilles tendon because of no crossing or transversal intratendon suture. PDSII can provide highly b stabil ity, furthermore, it can be degenerated completely with tiny foreign body reaction, so there is no tendency to develope local adhesion. This technique achieves good results and is associated with a low morbidity of compl ications.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of autogenous tendon reconstruction under total arthroscopy in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture.MethodsBetween June 2015 and June 2018, 16 patients with chronic Achilles tendon ruptures were treated by autogenous tendon reconstruction under total arthroscopy. Of the 16 patients, 11 were males and 5 were females. Their mean age was 40.7 years (range, 21-55 years). The disease duration was 14-20 months (mean, 16.4 months). Preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 41.2±2.2 and the pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.9±1.2. MRI and B-ultrasonography examinations showed that the Achilles tendon was not continuous. The length of Achilles tendon defect was 5.0-10.3 cm, with an average of 5.8 cm. The rupture of the Achilles tendon happened on top of the insertion of the tendon in 4 cases and at the tendon-muscle belly connection in 12 cases. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and related complications were recorded. The AOFAS score and VAS score were used to evaluate the improvement of ankle joint function and pain.ResultsThe average operation time was 77.2 minutes (range, 60-90 minutes). The average intraoperative blood loss was 20.5 mL (range, 15-30 mL). The average hospital stay was 7.2 days (range, 5-10 days). All incisions healed by first intention. There was no skin necrosis, infection, or deep vein thrombosis. All the patients were followed up 8-18 months, with an average of 12 months; and 10 cases were followed up more than 12 months. During the follow-up, there was no Achilles tendon re-rupture, and the symptoms of pain and heel lifting failure significantly improved. MRI reexamination showed that the continuity of Achilles tendon recovered. At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, AOFAS scores significantly improved and VAS scores significantly reduced, except for 1 month postoperatively, the scores at other time points were superior to that before operation, the differences were significant (P<0.05).ConclusionAutogenous tendon reconstruction under total arthroscopy in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture has the advantages of small trauma, rapid functional recovery, and satisfactory surgical efficacy.
To review the progress in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture. Methods Recent l iterature on the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture was reviewed. Results The choice of operative method for the repair of chronic Achilles tendon rupture depended primarily on the length of tendon defect, the atrophic condition of triceps surae muscle, and the age and the sportive level of patient. Conclusion Most chronic Achilles tendon ruptures should be treated operatively to reach good functional recovery, and tissue engineering provides a promising future for tendon defect repair.
Objective To explore the value of wide-awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT) technique in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. MethodsIn a prospective randomized controlled trial, 48 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture who met the criteria between March 2020 and October 2020 were randomly divided into two groups according to 1∶1 distribution, with 24 cases in each group. The study group used WALANT technique and the control group used epidural anesthesia with tourniquet for channel-assisted minimally invasive repair (CAMIR). There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, injured side, cause of injury, distance from broken end of Achilles tendon to calcaneal tubercle, and time from injury to hospitalization (P>0.05). The operating room use time (from patients entering the operating room to leaving the operating room), intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and the highest pain score [using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)] during operation and at 1 day after operation were recorded and compared between the two groups. The tourniquet adverse reactions in the control group were recorded. The functional recovery was evaluated by the scoring method of American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) at 12 months after operation. ResultsThe operation was successfully completed in both groups. The operating room use time and hospital stay in the study group were significantly less than those in the control group (P<0.05), but the difference in the intraoperative blood loss between the two groups was not significant (t=0.429, P=0.670). There was no significant difference in the highest NRS score during operation between the two groups (t=1.671, P=0.101); the highest NRS score in the study group at 1 day after operation was significantly lower than that in the control group (t=−6.384, P<0.001). In the control group, 13 patients had different degrees of tourniquet adverse reactions, including tourniquet regional pain, local swelling, blisters, thigh numbness, and discomfort. The patients in both groups were followed up 12-18 months, with an average of 13.9 months. The motor function of all patients returned to normal at 12 months after operation. The difference in AOFAS scores between the two groups was not significant (t=0.345, P=0.731). There was no complication such as sural nerve injury, local infection, and secondary rupture in both groups. ConclusionThe application of WALANT combined with CAMIR technique in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture has good anesthetic and effectiveness, avoids the adverse reactions of tourniquet, and reasonably saves social medical resources.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of modified percutaneous suture in repairing acute closed Achilles tendon rupture by comparing with conventional open suture. Methods Between January 2006 and October 2009, 50 patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture were treated with modified percutaneous suture by making 5 small incisions at both sides of Achilles tendon and zigzag suture (improved group, n=22) and with Kessler suture (conventional group, n=28), respectively. No significant difference was found in gender, age, time from injury to operation between 2 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results In improved group, the patients achieved healing of incisions by first intention after operation and nocomplication occurred; however, incision infection occurred in 1 case, Achilles tendon re-rupture in 1 case, and incision scar contracture in 2 cases in conventional group. The operation time of improved group [(38.7 ± 6.6) minutes] was significantly shorter (t= —12.29, P=0.00) than that of conventional group [(52.3 ± 6.9) minutes]; the blood loss of improved group [(4.9 ± 2.0) mL] was significantly less (t= —25.20, P=0.00) than that of conventional group [(40.7 ± 7.1) mL]. The patients were followed up 2-3 years (mean, 29.9 months). The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 99.6 ± 1.0 in improved group and was 98.4 ± 3.0 in conventional group, showing no significant difference between 2 groups (t=1.66, P=0.10). Conclusion Comparison with conventional open suture, modified percutaneous suture has some advantages, such as easy operation, less complications, rapid recovery of limb function, and so on. Modified percutaneous suture is one of the best choices for the treatment of acute closed Achilles tendon rupture.