title: Long-term Results of Chronic Achilles Tendon Ruptures Repaired With V-Y Tendon Plasty and Fascia Turndown.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate the long-term follow-up results of V-Y tendon plasty with fascia turndown, for repairing chronic Achilles tendon ruptures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen patients (12 males, 5 females), who were diagnosed with chronic Achilles tendon rupture and met the inclusion criteria, were included in the study. These patients received treatment by means of V-Y tendon plasty with fascia turndown from January 1995 to December 2001. Clinical outcomes of the patients were assessed by using isokinetic strength testing, questioning the patient regarding residual discomfort, pain, or swelling and having the ability to perform heel rises and using American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society's (AOFAS's) Ankle-Hind Foot Scale score. Mean follow-up duration was 16 years (13-18 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean time from the injury to operative treatment was 7 months. Mean operative defect of Achilles tendon in neutral position after debridement was 6 cm. During the follow-up, the mean calf atrophy was 3.4 cm. The mean 30 degrees/s plantarflex and 120 degrees/s plantarflex peak torques were 89 and 45 Nm, respectively. The mean 30 degrees/s plantarflex peak torque deficiency was 16%. The mean 120 degrees/s plantarflex peak torque deficiency was 17%. The average peak torque deficiency was 17%. The pre- and postoperative mean AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale scores were 64 and 95, respectively. No patient had a rerupture. Superficial wound infection was treated with oral antibiotic therapy in 2 patients (11%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The V-Y tendon plasty with fascia turndown for repairing chronic Achilles tendon ruptures yielded results comparable with the literature regarding clinical outcomes. This method did not require synthetic materials for augmentation and was an economic alternative compared to other repair methods.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level III, retrospective comparative study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Berk
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Guclu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Koru Hospital, Çukurambar, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: H Cagdas
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Basat
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kazan Hamdi Eris State Hospital, Ankara, Turkey mdtugrul@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Tugrul
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ufuk University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bozduman
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Kemal
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Us
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005205:Fascia / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D019415:Torque; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: Achilles tendon reconstruction; chronic Achilles tendon tear; neglected rupture