title: Noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy treated with gastrocnemius lengthening.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgery is frequently considered an option for refractory, symptomatic noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy. Gastrocnemius equinus can result in mechanical overload of the Achilles tendon and may be a factor in its etiology. Our hypothesis was that reducing load transmission to the Achilles tendon by gastrocnemius lengthening (Strayer procedure) may be an effective treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective case series of all patients with a minimum 1-year symptomatic noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy who underwent gastrocnemius lengthening was evaluated before surgery, and at 1 and 2 years after surgery. There were 14 patients (17 tendons).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One year after surgery, the median American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot score was 100 points, as compared to 71 points preoperatively (p < 0.001). The median total Foot Function Index (FFI) decreased significantly from 39 to 12 points at 1 year (p < 0.001) and remained stable (12 points) at 2 years. An electronic goniometer recorded a mean gain in ankle dorsiflexion of 13 degrees. At 1 year after surgery the MRI in all eight patients (ten tendons) with a preoperative MRI demonstrated a decrease in signal hyperintensity and tendon size, signifying an improvement of the tendinopathy. At 2 years after surgery, patient satisfaction assessment revealed that all but one patient was satisfied with the result and 11 of the 14 (79%) patients were able to resume their previous sporting activities. There were no complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gastrocnemius lengthening was an effective treatment for chronic Achilles noninsertional tendinopathy. Two-year results show good to excellent clinical outcome.
authors: Division of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Victoria B
authors: VB
authors: Duthon
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Lübbeke
authors: Sylvain R
authors: SR
authors: Duc
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Stern
authors: Mathieu
authors: M
authors: Assal
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D058971:Tenotomy / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome