title: Percutaneous, Minimally Invasive Repair of Traumatic and Simultaneous Rupture of Both Achilles Tendons: A Case Report.
abstract: Achilles injury is a common musculoskeletal disorder. Bilateral rupture of the Achilles tendon, however, is much less common and usually occurs spontaneously. Complete, traumatic, and bilateral ruptures are rare and typically require long periods of immobilization before the patient can return to full weightbearing. A 52-year-old male was hospitalized for bilateral traumatic rupture to both Achilles tendons. No risk factors for tendon rupture were found. Blood samples revealed no peripheral blood pathologic features. Both tendons were repaired with percutaneous, minimally invasive surgery using the Achillon(®) tendon suture system. Rehabilitation was begun 4 weeks later. An ankle-foot orthosis was prescribed to provide ankle support with an adjustable range of movement, and active plantar flexion was set at 0° to 30°. The patient remained non-weightbearing with the ankle-foot orthosis device and performed active range-of-motion exercises. At 8 weeks after surgery, we recommended that he begin walking with partial weightbearing using a foot-tibial orthosis with the range of motion set to 45° plantar flexion and 15° dorsiflexion. At 10 weeks postoperatively, he was encouraged to return to full weightbearing on both feet. Beginning rehabilitation as soon as possible after minimally invasive surgery, compared with 6 weeks of immobilization after surgery, provided a rapid resumption to full weightbearing. We emphasize the clinical importance of a safe, simple treatment program that can be followed for a patient with damage to the Achilles tendons. To our knowledge, ours is the first report of minimally invasive repair of bilateral simultaneous traumatic rupture of the Achilles tendon.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland. Electronic address: paulz@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zietek
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karaczun
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kruk
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapist, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szczypior
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
keywords: Achilles tendon rupture; percutaneous repair; tendon injury; trauma