title: Functional evaluation of professional athletes treated with a mini-open technique for achilles tendon rupture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  in this study we report the functional results of 36 professional athletes treated with a combined percutaneous and mini-open technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  patients were evaluated with Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A), the objective 100-points Hannover scale and the Ergo-jump Bosco System device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  at a mean 28- month follow-up no re-rupture cases were observed. Six patients had minor complications. The Ergo-jump Bosco System device showed no significant differences in the side-to-side evaluation in regard to strength (-0.94%) and elasticity (+2.44%), while a significant post-operative loss was detected in the endurance trials (-6.78%). The Hannover scale showed an average score of 94.5, while the VISA-A had an average of 93.1. Thirty-one patients resumed their pre-operative sports activity level within five months from surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  our results showed that the combined mini-open and percutaneous repair is an effective treatment for professional athletes, with satisfactory clinical and functional results, lack of major complications and a quick return to professional sports activity.
authors.affiliation: UOC Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Ospedale S.Andrea, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vadalà
authors.affiliation: UOC Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Ospedale S.Andrea, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lanzetti
authors.affiliation: UOC Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Ospedale S.Andrea, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciompi
authors.affiliation: UOC Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Ospedale S.Andrea, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: UOC Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Ospedale S.Andrea, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lupariello
authors.affiliation: UOC Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Ospedale S.Andrea, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferretti
keywords: Achilles tendon; athletes; jumping capability; mini-open technique