title: Achillon mini-open Achilles tendon repair: early outcomes and return to duty results in U.S. military service members.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to report short-term outcomes and return to duty rates in a cohort of active duty U.S. military personnel who underwent repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures using the Achillon mini-open technique. Between October 2009 and March 2012, 15 consecutive patients underwent mini-open repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures using the Achillon device by a single surgeon. Minor and major complications were recorded, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) and pain visual analog scores were recorded at regular follow-up intervals. At mean latest follow-up of 16.7 months postoperatively, all 15 patients had returned to full active duty status without major complications. Specifically, no patient experienced major wound complication, infection, or rerupture. Mean AOFAS score in 9 of 15 patients was 94.1; mean pain visual analog score in 12 of 15 patients was 1.4. The Achillon mini-open technique can be used for treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures in appropriately selected high-demand patient populations with the expectation of minimal adverse outcomes.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX, USA. justin.orr77@msn.com
authors: Justin D
authors: JD
authors: Orr
authors: Brendan
authors: B
authors: McCriskin
authors: Jason R
authors: JR
authors: Dutton
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries*; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D062707:Return to Work; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States