title: Clinical, functional and radiological results of Achilles tenorraphy surgically treated with mini-open technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper was to report clinical, functional and radiological results of 80 patients surgically treated with a combined mini-open and percutaneous surgical repair as proposed by Kakiuchi.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients were evaluated with a physical examination, evaluation scales, a functional test (Ergo-jump Bosco System), and an ultrasonographic exam along with Power Doppler Ultrasonography (PDU) (S/S).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a mean follow-up of 58 months no cases of rerupture were detected. VISA-A evaluation scale showed an excellent score in 63 patients (78.75%), a good score in 14 patients (17.5%), a fair score in two patients (2.5%), and a poor score in one patient (1.25%). Hannover scale showed an excellent score in 63 patients (78.75%), and a good score in 17 patients (21.25%). Ergo-Jump evaluation showed a 2.07% mean deficit of the affected limb at the Squatting Jump test, a 3.26% mean deficit at the Counter Movement Jump test, and a 0.0062% mean improvement at the Repetitive Jump test. Ultrasonographic exam showed in all cases a satisfactory recovery of the integrity of the operated tendon. The mean AP and LL widths showed a significant increase of 7.13±2.97 mm (+56.1%) and of 4.01±2.36 mm (+43.81%) respectively. According to the modified Öhberg score scale, PDU exam showed a grade +1 in 16 patients (20%) and a grade +2 in seven cases (8.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The absence of rerupture cases, the satisfactory functional and ultrasonographic results of the patients included in this study cause us to consider this technique as reliable and effective even in young high-demand patients.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Unit and Kirk Kilgour, Sports Injury Centre, S. Andrea Hospital, La Sapeinza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy. anto.vada@libero.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vadalà
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Carli
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vulpiani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iorio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vetrano
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scapellato
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suarez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Salvo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferretti
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*