title: [Flexor hallucis tendon transfer combined with an interference screw reconstruction for chronic Achilles tendon rupture of Kuwada IV].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the clinical effect of interference screw and flexor hallucis longus tendon as augmentation material in repair of chronic Achilles tendon rupture.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2010 to June 2012,26 patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture were treated, including 18 males and 8 females with an average age of 44.2 years old (20 to 66 years old). All patients were unilateral damage. MRI showed the Achilles tendon.ends' distance was 6.0 to 9.0 cm. The postoperative complications were observed. The curative effect was assessed by American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society and Leppilahti score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the 26 patients were followed up for 18 to 68 months (means 30.4 months). No neurological injury and infection of incision occurred, all patients were stage I incision healing. The shape and function of the ankle were recovered well. The average AOFAS score increased from 52.27±12.30 preoperatively to 90.92±6.36 postoperatively. Leppilahti Achilles Tendon Repair score increased from 34.23±12.86 preoperatively to 90.00±5.10 postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The flexor hallucis tendon transfer with an interference screw technique for repairing the chronic Achilles tendon rupture of type IV of Kuwada had advantages of simple operation, quick recovery, firm tendon fixation, and less complications.
authors.forename: Jun-feng
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Yang-yi
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012421:Rupture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013709:Tendon Transfer; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult