Surgical Repair of The Achilles Tendon Rupture

Purpose: Surgical versus non-surgical treatment of Achilles tendon rupture is controversial. Surgery offers low rerupture rates and good functional results, but wound complication rates are as high as 15%. We investigated the surgical outcomes of acute and chronic ruptures to identify a method to decrease wound complications. Methods: Between January 1991 and May 2001, 16 patients with 17 ruptures of the Achilles tendon underwent surgery. Direct end-to-end anastomosis had been done by using running sutures without augmentation, and the skin was closed with subcuticular, continuous 4-0 Dexon suture. Postoperatively, the patients were immobilized for 6 weeks. We retrospectively reviewed their records for acute or chronic rupture, length of operation and hospitalization, and outcomes. Results: Eight patients had acute ruptures, and nine, chronic ruptures. Mean operation time was 44 minutes (range, 30-67 minutes) and 35 minutes (range, 25-55 minutes) for acute and chronic ruptures, respectively. Mean hospitalization was 4.3 days (range, 3-6 days) and 2.8 days (range, 2-4 days), respectively. Two reruptures occurred in patients with chronic injuries. No wound complications occurred. All patients returned to preinjury levels of work and recreational activity. One patient, a professional sprinter, resumed competitive racing after surgical repair and active rehabilitation. Ten patients subjectively rated their results as excellent; five, good; one, fair; and one, poor. Conclusions: Surgery for acute Achilles tendon rupture has excellent results, with no wound complications. Our treatment should be modified in chronic cases to prevent recurrence. Acute repair with active postoperative rehabilitation can achieve excellent results.

並列關鍵字

Achilles tendon rupture ； surgical repair ； wound healing

國際替代計量

全文下載

主題瀏覽