Contralateral tendon rupture risk is increased in individuals with a previous Achilles tendon rupture

The purpose of this study was to examine the outcome after surgery for an acute Achilles tendon rupture. In particular, we wanted to study whether persons who have suffered an Achilles tendon rupture are at greater risk of a contralateral tendon rupture. From September 1990 to April 1997, 168 acute Achilles tendon ruptures in 26 women and 142 men were treated operatively. In August 1998 (median: 4.2 years post injury), 154 of these patients (92%) responded to a follow-up questionnaire. Local symptoms (pain, decreased strength and/or reduced range of motion) were reported pre injury by 25% of the patients; at follow-up this had increased to 52%. Ten patients (6%) experienced a rupture on the contralateral side during the follow-up period (OR: 176 [70-282] vs. the expected rate based on the general population risk of this injury, P<0.001). Thus, this study suggests that patients with an Achilles tendon rupture are at significantly increased risk of a contralateral tendon rupture, as well. Also, as many as half of the patients suffered from post-injury problems at long-term follow-up.     

Achilles tendon rupture in badminton.

The typical badminton player with an Achilles tendon rupture is 36 years old and, despite limbering up, is injured at the rear line in a sudden forward movement. He resumes work within three months and has a slight lack of dorsiflexion in the ankle as the main complication. Most patients resume badminton within one year, but some finish their sports career, mainly due to fear of a new injury. The investigation discusses predisposing factors and prophylactic measures.     

急性跟腱撕裂的影像学诊断

目的探讨跟腱撕裂的X线平片和MRI诊断价值。方法分析21例有急性踝关节损伤病史、经手术证实为跟腱完全撕裂或部分撕裂患者的X线平片和MRI表现，并与手术结果对照。结果21例MRI均有异常表现，诊断跟腱完全撕裂7例，部分撕裂14例，MRI表现为跟腱增粗，腱内信号增高，腱束连续性完全中断或部分中断。X线片5例诊断跟腱撕裂，12例疑似撕裂，4例正常。手术结果完全撕裂9例，部分撕裂12例。结论MRI能准确显示跟腱撕裂的程度和部位，对临床治疗具有重要的指导意义；X线可作为跟腱撕裂初诊的辅助检查，但明确诊断还有赖于MRI。     

飞行员跟腱断裂一例

跟腱断裂是运动医学中一种常见损伤。2006年8月,我院收治1例飞行员跟腱断裂,现报告如下。一、临床资料患者男性,39岁,歼-7飞行员,飞行时间2000h。参加篮球赛时,动作不协调,致左跟腱损伤,自述当时闻及断裂声。1h后送到我院急诊。查体:左跟腱处稍肿,压痛,可扪及跟腱连续性中断,踝关节伸屈主动受限,被动正常,跖屈力下降,经MRI检查,诊断:跟腱断裂。次日,在硬膜外麻醉下行跟腱缝合术。术中可见跟腱在止点上4cm处呈完全撕裂型断裂,断端不齐,以Ⅰ型0号肌腱线直接缝合,周边加固缝合,术后屈膝30°,踝关节跖屈15°石膏固定。切口一期愈合,4周拆石膏,…     

Reconstruction of neglected Achilles tendon rupture using the flexor hallucis tendon

Neglected ruptures of the Achilles tendon (AT) are not common and have a greater tendency to cause complications and to produce poorer functional results than fresh ruptures. Numerous surgical procedures have been described for the reconstruction of neglected AT ruptures. However, no report has been issued about an AT rupture neglected for more than 2 years. The authors reported about three patients (four tendons) with a neglected AT rupture of mean duration of 5 years, who were treated by interposed scar tissue repair combined with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer. All patients experienced good clinical results and were satisfied with surgery. None of the authors received financial support for this study.     

Ultrasonographic findings in subcutaneous rupture of Achilles tendon

Twelve patients who had suffered a subcutaneous rupture of the tendo calcaneous underwent real-time ultrasonography using a 5 MHz sectorial probe. The main findings were the disappearance of the path of the tendon, haematoma formation, and alterations of the echogenicity of the Kager's triangle.     

深低温冷冻保存同种异体肌腱移植修复陈旧性跟腱断裂研究

目的：探讨深低温冷冻保存同种异体肌腱移植修复陈旧性跟腱断裂的临床效果。方法2010年1月-2012年9月收治急性创伤所致跟腱断裂一期未行修复导致的陈旧性跟腱断裂患者共32例,缺损长度3-6（4.6±1.0）cm,手术所用肌腱为经过深低温处理的同种异体胫前肌肌腱。在跟腱远端和近端用2-0可吸收抗菌薇乔采用双束 Kessler 法端端吻合,术后常规跖屈20-30°位固定踝关节,足背肢具或石膏板固定4-6 w。3例合并皮肤缺损者,行腓肠神经营养皮瓣转移覆盖创面。术后采用美国足踝外科协会（ AOFAS）踝与后足评分行疗效评价。结果术后32例均获随访1年以上,平均随访（15.0±3.5）个月,其中29例切口Ⅰ期愈合,2例切口Ⅱ期愈合,1例因为排异反应取出移植肌腱由于疤痕愈合未行再次肌腱移植,目前可以正常行走。术后踝关节功能恢复良好,AOFAS 足踝评分从术前（50.5±5.5）分提高到术后（90.5±6.5）分。结论修复陈旧性跟腱断裂可用深低温冷冻保存同种异体肌腱,手术效果可,并可避免取自体腱造成二次损伤和并发症,患者更容易接受,移植物可长期保存,但长期效果仍需长期随访。     

一氧化氮供体硝酸甘油治疗妊高征的疗效观察

 目的 探讨一氧化氮(NO)供体硝酸甘油对妊高征(PIH)患者的治疗效果。方法 于用药前后分别抽取肘静脉血,以Griess反应测定血清中NO的代谢产物的含量,并半定量测定尿蛋白,同时采用心功能监测仪及彩超分别测定用药前后母体心功能及胎儿脐血流的变化。结果用药后血中NO代谢产物显著增多(P＜0.05),每搏血量(SV)、心输出量(CO)显著上升(P＜0.05),平均动脉压(MAP)、总血管阻抗(TPR)、心肌耗氧量(MVO)显著下降(P＜0.05),心率(HR)无明显差异(P＞0.05)。脐动脉指数(PI)、阻力指数(RI)及脐动脉收缩期最高流速／舒张期末流(S／D)显著下降(P＜0.05)。结论硝酸甘油通过增加PIH患者体内NO含量,不仅改善其症状,而且增加脐-胎盘灌流量,是治疗PIH较理想的药物。     

Evaluation of sonoelastography in Achilles tendon of healthy volunteers and patients with symptomatic Achilles tendon

Aim and objectives: To assess the role of SEL in evaluation of Achilles tendon. Methodology: This study included 40 healthy volunteers and 40 patients with symptomatic Achilles tendon. All patients were examined by conventional B-mode ultrasound, sonoelastography and MRI. Results: Achilles tendons of the volunteers were characterized by hard texture with higher strain ratios than those of the patients with Achilles tendinopathy. No significant differences could be detected between SR of male and female volunteers yet significant differences could be detected in the volunteer group above and below forty being lower with softer tendon properties in the group above forty with a cut-off value of ≤1.84 between healthy and diseased group. Sonoelastography had the sensitivity of 89.1% and specificity of 96.1% for diagnosis of tendinopathy with results superior to those of conventional B-mode ultrasonography. Conclusion: SEL is a reliable tool in the evaluation of Achilles tendinopathy with sensitivity and specificity superior to B-mode US. Strain ratio provides excellent non-invasive diagnostic data adds strongly in more objective evaluation of Achilles tendon properties.     

外伤性跟腱撕裂的MRI诊断

目的：评价磁共振(MRI)对外伤性跟腱撕裂的诊断价值。方法：收集经删检查并由手术证实的外伤性跟腱撕裂患者10例，回顾、分析其MRI表现。结果：10例患者均诊断正确(敏感性100％，特异性100％)。其中完全性撕裂8例，不完全性撕裂2例；撕裂发生在跟腱中上段2例、跟腱中段7例、跟腱下段1例；MRI主要表现为肌腱增粗10例，肌腱内信号增高10例，宽径／前后径比值缩小8例，肌腱连续性中断9例，断端分离、肌腱缩短3例。跟腱周围软组织肿胀及积液9例。结论：MRI能够直接显示跟腱的形态及其内部结构．对跟腱撕裂的术前诊断具有很高的敏感件和特异性．     

Functional rehabilitation of patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture: a meta-analysis of current evidence

Purpose

The optimal treatment for acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is continuously debated. Recent studies have proposed that the choice of either operative or non-operative treatment may not be as important as rehabilitation, suggesting that functional rehabilitation should be preferred over traditional immobilization. The purpose of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was to compare functional rehabilitation to immobilization in the treatment of ATR.

Method

This meta-analysis was conducted using the databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Source, AMED, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and PEDro using the search terms: “Achilles tendon,” “rupture,” “mobilization” and “immobilization”. Seven RCTs involving 427 participants were eligible for inclusion, with a total of 211 participants treated with functional rehabilitation and 216 treated with immobilization.

Results

Re-rupture rate, other complications, strength, range of motion, duration of sick leave, return to sport and patient satisfaction were examined. There were no statistically significant differences between groups. A trend favoring functional rehabilitation was seen regarding the examined outcomes.

Conclusion

Functional rehabilitation after acute Achilles tendon rupture does not increase the rate of re-rupture or other complications. A trend toward earlier return to work and sport, and increased patient satisfaction was found when functional rehabilitation was used. The present literature is of low-to-average quality, and the basic constructs of the examined treatment and study protocols vary considerably. Larger, randomized controlled trials using validated outcome measures are needed to confirm the findings.

Level of evidence

II.

     

A new finding in the radiographic diagnosis of Achilles tendon rupture

The authors describe a new radiographic sign of rupture of the Achilles tendon system. It is a fracture, with separation through an osteophyte at the insertion of this tendon. Previously reported signs are also discussed as well as the present case report.     

Bilateral Achilles tendon rupture: a report on two cases

Two cases of traumatic bilateral Achilles tendon rupture are reported. One of the patients was a healthy middle-aged man, who had been an active nationallevel gymnast 20 years earlier. He had not suffered any complaints of Achilles tendons before. The ruptures occurred when, after a sauna, he showed his guests a vault forwards, which he had been able to perform easily. This time the landing took place on the toes, causing a high peak stretch to the calf muscles and Achilles tendons. The total rupture of both Achilles tendons was treated surgically, with an excellent result 2 days after the trauma. End-to-end suturation and a fascial flap plasty were made on both sides. No macroscopic degeneration could be detected on the rupture sites. He was allowed to walk freely 6 weeks after the surgery. The second case was a 54-year-old woman, who had suffered from Achilles tendinitis and peritendinitis for 2 years. Both tendons had been surgically treated, and severe adhesions and local degenerative changes had been found. The tendon rupture occurred when she injured her left ankle while getting out of the car. Two days later she fell at home, because of the weakness of the left side, and consequently the right Achilles tendon was injured. She was treated conservatively for 10 days, before the surgery was performed. Both tendons were ruptured and an extensive degeneration of the area was observed. The right side suffered from a rerupture, which was again treated surgically. After surgery the recovery was slow, but the final result 3 years later was moderate. Neither of the patients had any systemic diseases.     

A new measurement of heel-rise endurance with the ability to detect functional deficits in patients with Achilles tendon rupture

Studies evaluating treatment effects on muscle function after an Achilles tendon rupture often use various tests for evaluating calf muscle strength. However, these tests rarely demonstrate the difference between treatment groups; therefore, new tests with a higher ability to detect possible differences in outcome are needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and ability to detect differences in outcome of a heel-rise work test that would measure both the height of each heel-rise and the number of repetitions. Seventy-eight patients (65 men and 13 women) at a mean (standard deviation) age of 42 (9) years with Achilles tendon ruptures were included. The patients were evaluated with the new heel-rise test at 6 and 12 months after injury. The limb symmetry index (LSI = involved/uninvolved × 100) was calculated to determine the size of the difference in function between the injured and the uninjured side. The heel-rise height differed significantly between the injured and uninjured sides at the 6- and 12-month evaluations (P < 0.001). At the 6-month evaluation, the patients had achieved a mean LSI of 84% on the number of repetitions parameter but only a mean LSI of 61% on the work parameter. At the 12-month evaluation the mean, LSI of the heel-rise repetition parameter was 95%, indicating that the patients had fully recovered function, but on the work parameter the mean LSI was only 76%. The heel-rise work test in the present study has good validity and greater ability to detect differences between the injured and the uninjured sides than a test that measures only the number of heel-rise repetitions in patients with Achilles tendon rupture.     

Endoscopic assisted flexor hallucis tendon transfer in the management of chronic rupture of Achilles tendon

Operative treatment is indicated in the management of chronic Achilles tendon rupture. Reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture can be classified into end-to-end repair, tendo Achilles advancement or flap reconstruction, local tendon transfer and implantation with autografts, allografts or synthetic materials. Following debridement of the tendon ends and with retraction of the proximal tendon fragment, a large gap will be present and direct tendon apposition with physiological tension is usually not possible. Flexor hallucis longus transfer is indicated if the tendon gap is more than 5 cm. We describe an endoscopic assisted flexor hallucis longus transfer in order to minimize the soft tissue dissection.