title: Percutaneous repair followed by accelerated rehabilitation for acute Achilles tendon ruptures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome after percutaneous repair followed by accelerated rehabilitation for acute Achilles tendon ruptures.
  
  
  METHODS
  21 men and 9 women (mean age, 41 years) underwent percutaneous repair by a single senior surgeon for acute Achilles tendon ruptures, followed by early weight bearing and accelerated rehabilitation. Outcome measures included the Achilles tendon re-rupture rate, the Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) at 3 and 6 months, the incidence of sural nerve injury, wound infection, wound dehiscence, patient satisfaction, and the time to return to pre-rupture activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up period was 12.5 months. The mean ATRS score improved from 57.65 at 3 months to 86.95 at 6 months (p<0.001). No patient had intra-operative complications, tendon re-rupture, sural nerve injury, wound dehiscence, or deep infection. Two patients developed a superficial wound infection, which was resolved with oral flucloxacillin. Two patients had a mass at the transverse incision, but neither had any symptoms or functional restriction. All patients were able to bear full weight comfortably without the walker boot at 8 weeks, and return to their work by 3 months. The mean time to return to pre-rupture activity, including sports, was 10.4 months. The mean satisfaction rate was 87% at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous repair of the Achilles tendon followed by early weight bearing and accelerated rehabilitation achieves good functional outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, North Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Louay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Al-Mouazzen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal National Orthopaedics Hospital, Stanmore, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Karthig
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajakulendran
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Royal National Orthopaedics Hospital, Stanmore, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Najefi
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma & Orthopaedics, Queen's Hospital, Romford, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nurul
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahad
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012421:Rupture / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: Achilles tendon; rupture