[Rerupture after operation for total Achilles tendon rupture].
BACKGROUND
Over the period 1991-2000 the postoperative treatment of total Achilles tendon ruptures at St. Olav Hospital was changed from plaster cast during 6 weeks to plaster cast during the first 14 days and subsequently orthosis treatment from 2nd to 6th week postoperatively. The purpose of the study was to analyze the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures at the department with main emphasis on whether there had been an increase in reruptures and, if this was the case, could it be attributed to the change to orthosis treatment postoperatively.


METHODS
A questionnaire was mailed to all patients (n = 301) registered in the hospital database during the period 1991-2000 with a diagnosis of rupture of the Achilles tendon.


RESULTS
221 patients returned the questionnaire (73%). In 1991-1995, 16.8% were treated postoperatively with orthosis, compared to 71.9% in 1996-2000. The rerupture frequency had increased from 5.6% to 11.4%, but there was no significant difference in rerupture frequency between those treated with orthosis treated (8.0%) and those treated with plaster only (9.1%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in patient-reported satisfaction with the treatment, nor in the length of sick-leave.


CONCLUSIONS
These results do not support the possibility that the tendency towards increased number of reruptures is associated with a change in postoperative treatment with orthosis.
Borchgrevink
Grethe
G
Ortopedisk avdeling, St. Olavs Hospital, 7009 Trondheim. grethe.borchgrevink@stolav.no
Grøntvedt
Torbjørn
T
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D012008:Recurrence; D012421:Rupture / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome