Percutaneous repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture: a functional evaluation study with a minimum 10-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to present the functional outcomes of percutaneous tenorrhaphy of the Achilles tendon with a minimum follow-up of 10 years.


METHODS
The medical records of patients who underwent percutaneous surgery for acute unilateral Achilles tendon rupture between 2000 and 2004 were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
A total of 11 male patients met the inclusion criteria and were followed for a mean of 12.6 years (range: 10-13 years). The average age at the time of surgery was 39.3 years (range: 29-53 years). Patients returned to work at an average of 2.7 months (range: 1-4 months) after surgery and to normal daily activities (NDA) at an average of 4.1 months (range: 3-6 months) postoperatively. The mean strength ratio between the injured and normal sides was 90%. Compared with the contralateral normal side, the thickness of the operated tendon increased by a mean of 0.7 cm, while the circumference of the affected calf diminished by a mean of 1.1 cm. No difference in active and passive range of motion (ROM) was recorded between the affected and the contralateral normal ankle joints. Isometric plantar flexion was 87% of normal. Sensory impairment in the territory of the sural nerve was identified in 1 patient immediately after surgery. The sensory defect had completely resolved by 6 months postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term outcomes of our series support the effectiveness of percutaneous tenorrhaphy in Achilles function rehabilitation of patients with acute ruptures.
University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ioannina, Greece.
Alexandros
A
Mavrodontidis
University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ioannina, Greece.
Marios
M
Lykissas
University of Athens Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Athens, Greece.
Panayiotis
P
Koulouvaris
University of Ioannina Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ioannina, Greece.
Dimitrios
D
Pafilas
University of Athens Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Athens, Greece.
Vasilios
V
Kontogeorgakos
University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, LAC+USC Medical Center, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Charalampos
C
Zalavras
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome