[Ultrasonographic monitoring of conservative-functional treatment of rupture of the Achilles tendon].
Rupture of the Achilles tendon has become more common in recent years. Operative repair is the treatment generally used but non-surgical therapy is being accepted by an increasing number of surgeons because of the reports of good results with conservative treatment. Ultrasonographic examination not only allows an exact diagnosis to be made in muscle and tendon injuries, but also observation of the healing processes. Therefore, conservative functional treatment of rupture of the Achilles tendon can be used with more success, which is a very comfortable concept for these patients. We present a series of 22 subcutaneous ruptures of the Achilles tendon treated non-operatively to emphasize the value of conservative functional therapy with ultrasonographic monitoring. After immobilization of the lower leg by a walking cast in the equinus position for 3-6 weeks, the functional treatment follows using a decreasing heel lift and physiotherapy. Ultrasound examinations were performed frequently to recognize new diastasis early. We observed complete healing in all patients, absence of complications and excellent functional results. The morbidity of the patients was lower than with operative treatment and no hospital stay was needed. In conclusion, in our opinion ultrasound-controlled conservative functional treatment of rupture of the Achilles tendon should be used more frequently in future.
Walz
M
M
Chirurgische Universitätsklinik, Berufsgenossenschaftliche Krankenanstalten Bergmannsheil Bochum.
Cramer
J
J
Möllenhoff
G
G
Muhr
G
G
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014945:Wound Healing