title: Follow-up of surgical and minimally invasive treatment of Achilles tendon pathology: a brief diagnostic imaging review.
abstract: The follow-up of an operated tendon is primarily clinical, although clinical examination may not be sufficient in the presence of certain complications. The imaging techniques are of great value not only in the diagnosis of tendon pathologies, but also as an adjunct to clinical evaluation. This is particularly true in the follow-up of patients submitted to surgical tendon reconstruction, by monitoring morphological effects of different interventions and evaluating tendon healing processes. Interpretation of imaging findings requires knowledge of the imaging appearance of the operated tendon during the healing phase, to distinguish between normal postsurgical changes and real pathology, as well as knowledge of surgical technique, postoperative course (including type of prescribed therapy) and possible postoperative complications. The most important imaging modalities to examine the Achilles tendon are ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. This article gives a review of some of the most common treatment strategies for Achilles tendon pathology, expected postoperative imaging findings and postoperative complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnologies and Applied Clinical Sciences, S. Salvatore Hospital Coppito, University of L'Aquila, Via L. Natali, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy. antonio.barile@cc.univaq.it.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barile
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnologies and Applied Clinical Sciences, S. Salvatore Hospital Coppito, University of L'Aquila, Via L. Natali, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnologies and Applied Clinical Sciences, S. Salvatore Hospital Coppito, University of L'Aquila, Via L. Natali, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mariani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnologies and Applied Clinical Sciences, S. Salvatore Hospital Coppito, University of L'Aquila, Via L. Natali, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arrigoni
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brunese
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zappia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnologies and Applied Clinical Sciences, S. Salvatore Hospital Coppito, University of L'Aquila, Via L. Natali, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Splendiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnologies and Applied Clinical Sciences, S. Salvatore Hospital Coppito, University of L'Aquila, Via L. Natali, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Cesare
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnologies and Applied Clinical Sciences, S. Salvatore Hospital Coppito, University of L'Aquila, Via L. Natali, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masciocchi
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods
keywords: Achilles tendon; Interventional radiology; MRI; Surgery; Ultrasound