Calcaneoplasty and reattachment of the Achilles tendon for insertional tendinopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To report the one-year outcome of 44 patients treated with a novel technique of calcaneoplasty and reattachment of the Achilles tendon.


METHODS
15 men and 29 women (mean age, 53 years) with insertional tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon underwent calcaneoplasty, retrocalcaneal bursa excision, debridement and reattachment of the Achilles tendon with suture anchors via a lateral approach. Outcome was measured using the visual analogue score (VAS) for pain, the SF-36 health survey, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scores. Patient expectation and satisfaction were also assessed.


RESULTS
Of the 44 patients, 37, 43, and 21 were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months. The mean VAS for pain and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score improved significantly up to 6 months. The mean SF-36 score improved significantly up to 6 months for physical functioning, role functioning (physical), and bodily pain. Patient expectation and satisfaction also improved significantly. No patient had postoperative infections or rupture. Three patients had delayed wound healing, which resolved after simple dressings.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcaneoplasty and reattachment of the Achilles tendon via a lateral approach for insertional tendinopathy enables early weight bearing and achieves good outcome and pain relief.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
Heng An
HA
Lin
Heng An
HA
Chong
William
W
Yeo
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000601:surgery*; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing
Achilles tendon; tendinopathy