The increasing incidence and difference in sex distribution of Achilles tendon rupture in Finland in 1987-1999

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There have been reports about the increasing number of Achilles tendon ruptures. The most of the reports are based on records in a few hospitals only. We wanted to verify the increasing trend by investigating the epidemiology of Achilles tendon rupture in a very large population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The retrospective data was collected from 1987 to 1999 in Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register. The study includes 7 375 tendon rupture patients. We recorded their age, gender, home district and the date of admission in a hospital. RESULTS: The incidence of operatively treated Achilles tendon rupture was 11.2/105. The number of the patients was increasing particularly in the old age-groups. The change during the study period was statistically significant (p = 0.015). The females with a tendon rupture were on average 2-3 years older than men (p < 0.01). The urban areas around the capital city had a higher occurrence of tendon ruptures than the rural areas (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The number of Achilles tendon ruptures is increasing, but the reasons for this remain unknown. The geographical variations in rupture rate might indicate the role of the urban life-style as a risk factor. One reason for the differences between the men and the women might be the different level of the sport activities, especially ball-games.     

The epidemiology of musculoskeletal tendinous and ligamentous injuries

This study describes the epidemiology of a range of adult musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Our institution is the only hospital treating adults with musculoskeletal trauma in a well-defined catchment population of about 535,000. Demographic details over 5 years were recorded prospectively. Eighteen injury types were studied including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injury, Achilles, patellar and quadriceps tendon ruptures, hand tendon injuries and mallet finger. 2794 patients presented with ligamentous or tedinous injuries over 5 years. 74.2% of patients were male, giving an incidence of 166.6/100,000 per year for males and 52.1/100,000 per year for females. The mean age was 36.3 years: 33.1 in males, 43.6 in females. 1040 (37.2%) were knee injuries: 75.6% were male with mean age 32.9, compared with 35.3 in females. 947 cases were hand tendon injuries (33.9%): 72.1% were male, with mean age 34.5 compared with 42.0 in females. Meniscal injury of the knee was the commonest injury with an incidence of 23.8/100,000 per year. Other common injuries were hand extensor tendons (18/100,000 per year), ACJ injury (14.5/100,000 per year), Achilles tendon rupture (11.3/100,000 per year), mallet finger (9.9/100,000 per year) and ACL rupture (8.1/100,000 per year). Achilles, patellar and quadriceps tendon rupture and mallet finger were injuries of middle age; rotator cuff tears and biceps tendon rupture were commoner in the elderly but all other injuries predominated in young patients. All injuries were commoner in males. Most soft tissue injuries follow distribution curves previously described for fracture epidemiology but three new distribution curves are presented for the injuries which predominate in middle age.     

Distal biceps tendon ruptures: incidence,demographics, and the effect of smoking

The purpose of the current study was to determine the incidence of distal biceps tendon ruptures within a defined population, to describe the demographics of affected individuals, and to identify potential risk factors. The healthcare system in this study provides care to a known number of members in an area defined by zip codes and proximity to the medical center. Medical records for all members who presented with injuries about the elbow during a 5-year period were reviewed. Thirteen men and one woman with an average age of 47 years comprised the study population. The dominant extremity was involved in 86% of patients. All patients described a mechanism involving excessive eccentric tension as the arm was forced from a flexed position. The incidence of injury in the membership population averaged 1.2 ruptures per 100,000 patients per year. Forty-three percent reported regular tobacco use, whereas only 9% of all members were smokers. A Poisson regression analysis revealed a 7.5 times greater risk of distal biceps tendon rupture in patients who smoke. The incidence of distal biceps tendon ruptures is 1.2 per 100,000 patients, with the majority in the dominant elbow of men who smoke and who are in their fourth decade of life.     

Achillessehnenruptur

Achilles tendon ruptures are part of a continuum starting with the healthy Achilles tendon, including the thickened and painful tendinopathic Achilles tendon with neovascularization, and extending to complete tendon rupture. Often times chinolone antibiotics, cortisone therapy and valgus foot axis are associated risk factors. The incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures is estimated to be 10/100 000 per year with a mean age of 35–40 years. Physical activity is encountered in 75% cases of Achilles tendon ruptures. Running is associated with Achilles tendinopathy as the predominant overuse injury. Physical examination must include the calf squeeze test, followed by dynamic ultrasound examination: if an adaptation of the tendon's stump up to 20° ankle flexion is achieved and a patient is highly compliant, early functional conservative treatment in Achilles tendon ruptures can be performed. In almost all other patients percutaneous Achilles tendon repair is indicated, where nervus suralis lesions have to be appreciated. The vulnerable zone is 10–12 cm proximal to the calcaneus at the lateral border of the Achilles tendon with the sural nerve in close proximity to the tendon. As casts are not indicated anymore, early functional rehabilitation leads to improvement and should therefore be advocated.     

The epidemiology of Achilles tendon rupture in a Danish county

The epidemiology of Achilles tendon ruptures was examined during the 13-year period 1984-1996 in a Danish county. Five hospitals, serving a population of 220,000 cooperated. There were 718 ruptures, 544 men (75.8%) and 174 women (24.2%). The male to female ratio was 3:1. The average age was 42.1 years (3-82) and 62% were between 30-49 years. 74.2% of the ruptures were sport-related and 89% of these occurred in ball and racket games. The annual incidence of achilles tendon ruptures increased from 18.2/10(5) inhabitants in 1984 to 37.3/10(5) in 1996. The peak incidence in sport-related ruptures occurred in the age group 30-49 years, but ruptures not related to sport occurred in older patients with a peak incidence in those 50-59 years.     

Achilles tendon rupture: a case report and discussion of conservative versus surgical repair

The authors review the literature on Achilles tendon ruptures and discuss the conservative and surgical approaches to treatment of acute ruptures. A case history of acute Achilles tendon rupture is presented, including clinical signs not previously described. The primary complication of Achilles tendon rupture is the high incidence of rerupture after conservative therapy. The authors note that complications after surgical repair of an Achilles tendon rupture may be avoided by a surgeon skilled in the performance of this procedure and by the use of an appropriate surgical drain. The authors conclude that primary surgical repair is the treatment of choice for acute Achilles tendon ruptures.     

Achillessehnenrupturen

In the current literature the incidence of ruptures of the Achilles tendon is reported to be 12–18/100,000. The Achilles tendon transfers the force of the m. triceps surae to the ankle joints, conducting plantar flexion and supination. Therefore injuries to this tendon usually involve a severe loss of function of the lower limb. The main reasons for this type of injury are usually degenerative changes of the tendon promoted by particular vascular supply and fibre orientation. Acute Achilles tendon ruptures are diagnosed clinically. State-of-the-art imaging is ultrasound using a 7.5 MHz device. The therapy strategy is decided individually based on the constitution of the patient (physical demands, activity level, patient’s age, the age of the injury and comorbidities). Looking at the literature, conservative treatment involves higher re-rupture rates. Primary surgical treatment, in a minimally invasive, percutaneous manner, shows advantages in wound healing, while yielding similar re-rupture rates compared to an open procedure. For treatment of chronic tears and re-ruptures, open procedures with autologous tendon augmentation are possible. Concerning expert assessment of Achilles tendon injuries the course of the injury takes centre stage whether or not the force causing the injury was within the physiological range.     

Achilles tendon rupture: early dynamic mobilisation after surgery

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: It should be investigated whether the results of operative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures can be improved by the use of a lower leg splint. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We report on 58 patients with a subcutaneous Achilles tendon rupture, who underwent a standardised suture repair (Bunnell suture) followed by an early functional dynamic treatment with a newly developed lower leg splint. RESULTS: 45 patients, 3 women and 42 men, were examined on average 30 months after the operation. The cause of the rupture was predominantly a sporting activity. There were no postoperative complications, no rerupture and no infection. The ultrasonic investigation showed a very good gliding ability of the operated tendons, in the compartment I with 38 and in the compartment II with 7 of the 45 patients. According to the Trillat classification 27 patients scored excellent and 18 patients good. CONCLUSION: Similar to the treatment concept after surgical repair of hand tendons an early better result can be obtained by a functional dynamic treatment regimen also in operated Achilles tendon ruptures.     

Rerupture and deep infection following treatment of total Achilles tendon rupture

BACKGROUND: The incidence of total Achilles tendon rupture has increased, but we are not aware of any reports on the incidence of reruptures or deep infections following treatment. The outcome after successful treatment is good, but that after complications has not been well documented. METHODS: A group of 409 patients with a complete Achilles tendon rupture was treated at a university hospital orthopaedic unit between 1979 and 2000. Twenty-three reruptures (prevalence, 5.6%) and nine deep infections (prevalence, 2.2%) occurred in twenty-nine patients. We retrospectively reviewed the records of these patients to determine the overall incidence of ruptures, reruptures, and deep infections and to record the known risk factors for these major complications. We analyzed the final clinical outcome for twelve patients with a rerupture and seven patients with a deep infection at a mean of 4.1 years after the initial treatment. RESULTS: The annual incidence of reruptures (per 100,000 inhabitants) increased from 0.25 in 1979-1990 to 1.0 in 1991-2000, and that of deep infections increased from 0 in the 1980s to 0.63 in the 1990s. The ratio of complications to primary ruptures did not change. The patients with deep infections were significantly older, received corticosteroid medication more often, had sustained the tendon injury during everyday activities more often, and had a longer delay before treatment than the patients with simple reruptures. At 4.1 years after the primary treatment, eight of twelve patients in the rerupture group had a satisfactory clinical outcome and the overall average isokinetic plantar flexion strength deficit in that group was only 10%. In contrast, two of the patients in the infection group had a fair clinical outcome and five had a poor outcome, and the average isokinetic plantar flexion strength deficit in that group was 35%. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of Achilles tendon reruptures and deep infections has increased. The outcome is satisfactory after a simple rerupture without infection, but the results after a deep infection are often devastating.     

Operative treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures: an institutional review of clinical outcomes

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review the clinical outcome and incidence of post-operative complications after open end-to-end repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. METHODS: Seventy consecutive patients (74 open Achilles tendon repairs) operated on between 1989 and 2002 were identified for inclusion in this investigation. The medical records were reviewed and patients were contacted for a follow up interview in order to survey their post-operative function. Outcome scores were calculated based on the Boyden outcome and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scoring systems. Post-operative complications were documented during the chart review and follow up interview, including an additional nine patients (nine repairs), who were not included in the clinical evaluation portion of the study. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients (54 repairs) were successfully contacted and completed the follow up interview. Within this cohort there were 44 males and 8 females with a mean age of 41 years. Achilles tendon rupture in this population was attributable to participation in athletic activity in 87% of cases. At a mean post-operative follow up of 45 months, 96% of cases achieved an overall Boyden outcome score of good to excellent. The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was 96, with 74% of cases scoring greater than 90. Forty-two cases (78%) reported no pain and 40 cases (74%) reported no activity limitations. Fourteen post-operative complications were identified after 83 open Achilles tendon repairs, resulting in an institutional complication rate of 16.8%. The complications included four superficial wound infections, five deep wound infections requiring irrigation and debridement, one heel ulcer secondary to post-operative boot wear, three partial Achilles tendon re-ruptures, and one complete Achilles tendon re-rupture. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that open end-to-end repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures provides long-term functional outcomes with consistent good to excellent results. However, this high clinical success rate was associated with a relatively high incidence of post-operative complications. With careful attention to the surgical wound and patient adherence to post-operative rehabilitation protocols, operative repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures is a reliable treatment for active patients.     

跟腱再断裂的修复重建

 目的 总结跟腱再断裂的原因, 探讨野V-Y冶推进瓣及长屈肌腱(flexor hallucis longus, FHL)转位修复重建跟腱再断裂的适应证、疗效及其相关并发症。方法 2006年 3月至 2010年 1月手 术修复重建跟腱再断裂患者 16例 16足, 男 12例, 女 4例;年龄 35~72岁, 平均 50.9岁。再断裂距初次 手术时间为 6~49周(平均 21.8周), 随访时间 6~52个月(平均 27.5个月)。充分清除断端瘢痕及坏死组 织4例断端缺损4 cm者采用 FHL转位修 复重建。结合患者病史、康复方式及再次手术术中所见跟腱形态, 分析其发生再断裂原因。观察术后局 部外观及功能恢复情况, 并采用美国足踝外科协会踝-后足评分(American Orthopaedic Foot &; Ankle Society-ankle and hindfoot score,AOFAS-AH)及 Leppilahti跟腱修复评分进行疗效评价。结果 跟腱再 断裂的原因主要为手术切口感染、术后跟腱愈合不良发生液化坏死、术后过早负重或活动不当致跌倒。 采用野V-Y冶推进瓣或 FHL转位修复跟腱再断裂术后局部外观及功能恢复良好, AOFAS-AH评分从术前 (70.2±8.5)分提高到(92.4±6.1)分;Leppilahti跟腱修复评分从术前(74.8±6.2)分提高到(91.7±4.8)分。踝 部 MRI显示跟腱部信号均匀, 无撕裂或积液表现。结论 跟腱再断裂后需彻底清创, 导致大范围缺损。 腓肠肌腱膜野V-Y冶推进瓣可修复4 cm的缺损, 术后踝足部功能外形恢复良好。     

Incidence of Achilles tendon rupture

We determined the incidence of a total Achilles tendon rupture in the city of Oulu and changes over the 16-year period 1979-1994. During this time, 110 ruptures occurred. The incidence increased from 2 ruptures/1 O⁵ inhabitants in 1979-1986 to 12 in 1987-1994, with a mean of 7. The peak annual incidence, 18, was recorded in 1994. The incidence was highest in the age group 30-39 years. Male dominance was 5.5: 1, and 81 % of the ruptures were related to sports, with 88% occurring in ball games. The mean age was significantly lower for the sports injuries.     

Achillessehnenzweitrupturen

Between 1976 and 1981, 76 ruptures of the Achilles tendon and 6 reruptures were operated upon at the Orthopedic University Hospital of Giessen. The reruptures occured only in men at the age of 26 to 40, four of them were active sportsmen. In four cases, the site of the rerupture corresponded to that of the first rupture; in one case, it was situated 1 cm distal to the first rupture and in the other case, there was an osseous extraction of the Achilles tendon from the heel. The rerupture of the Achilles tendon was due to an unsufficient blood supply and a decrease of elasticity of the tendon material. In two cases, it was certainly caused by a completely inappropriate suturing material. The therapy method applied was end-to-end suture in three cases, tendon graft in one case, and inverted graft in another case; the osseous extraction was treated by screwing. In all cases, a reestablishment of function was achieved after an adequate waiting time.     

Achilles tendon disorders: etiology and epidemiology

The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body. Because most Achilles tendon injuries take place in sports and there has been a general increase in popularity of sporting activities, the number and incidence of the Achilles tendon overuse injuries and complete, spontaneous ruptures has increased in the industrialized countries during the last decades. The most common clinical diagnosis of Achilles overuse injuries is tendinopathy. The basic etiology of the Achilles tendinopathy is known to be multi-factorial. Although histopathologic studies have shown that ruptured Achilles tendons have clear degenerative changes before the rupture, many Achilles tendon ruptures take place suddenly without any preceding signs or symptoms.     

Endoscopic Flexor Hallucis Longus Transfer for the Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Prospective Case Series Report With a Minimum of 18 Months’ Follow-Up

Acute Achilles tendon rupture can be treated either surgically or nonsurgically. The flexor hallucis longus (FHL) has been used successfully in patients with large chronic Achilles tendon defects. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical outcomes of isolated endoscopic FHL transfer in patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures at a minimum follow-up of 18 months. Fifty-six male patients with an average age of 36.3 years who underwent endoscopic FHL transfer as a treatment for acute Achilles tendon ruptures were included. Follow-up was for a mean (± standard deviation) of 27.5 ± 7.29 months. At 18 months postoperatively, the Achilles tendon total rupture score mean was 95 ± 4.26, and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was a mean of 96.4 ± 4.31. The median value for FHL tendon dynamometry on the surgical side was 95.72 (range 70.1 to 142), and 100.7 (range 68 to 161) for the nonoperated side. Mean ankle plantarflexion strength at 18 months was 19.19 ± 2.55 kg • m compared with the uninjured side of 19.27 ± 2.16 kg • m. Relative Achilles tendon resting angle showed a mean of –0.25° ± 2.43°. Magnetic resonance imaging performed at a minimum of 18 months postoperatively showed a homogeneous continuous Achilles tendon signal for 43 patients and heterogeneous signal intensity in 13 patients (23.21%). No patients reported any great toe complaints or symptomatic deficits of flexion strength. No neurovascular or skin complications were encountered. The current study demonstrated satisfactory and comparable results with minimal complications when using the endoscopic FHL tendon transfer in surgical management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures, compared with the currently used methods.     

Die perkutane Naht der Achillessehne mit dem Dresdner Instrument

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive suture of the torn Achilles tendon without opening the rupture site, reduction in the risk of a sural nerve lesion, and optimization of stump apposition. INDICATIONS: Fresh Achilles tendon rupture. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Chronic achillodynia, local corticoid injections, immunosuppressive therapy, old Achilles tendon ruptures, rerupture. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Suture of the Achilles tendon with a special instrument via a skin incision proximal to the rupture, without opening the peritenon or the rupture site, whereby the suture in the area of the proximal Achilles tendon is placed in the layer between the lower-leg fascia and the peritenon with the threads running in a paratendinous direction. RESULTS: From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2003, 61 patients with 62 Achilles tendon ruptures were sutured using the percutaneous technique with the Dresden Instrument. No sural nerve lesions and only two reruptures (3.2%) were observed. In one patient (1.6%) a superficial late infection occurred after 8 weeks, when the tendon was already healed. Of 47 patients with a follow-up time of at least 1 year, 39 with 40 Achilles tendon ruptures were followed up (83%). According to the criteria of Trillat & Mounier-Kuhn, the result was very good in 62% and good in 30%. On the AOFAS Score, an average of 96 points (78-100 points) was achieved. 78% of the patients assessed the result of the treatment as very good and 20% as good.     

A systematic review of the patient reported outcome measures utilized in level 1 randomized controlled trials involving achilles tendon ruptures

BackgroundPatient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) are utilized in level 1 randomized controlled trials involving Achilles tendon ruptures. However, the characteristics of these PROMs and current practices has not yet been reported. We hypothesize that there will be heterogeneous PROM usage in this context.MethodsA PubMed and Embase systematic review was performed including all dates up to July 27th, 2022, assessing Achilles tendon ruptures in level 1 studies using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines where applicable. Inclusion criteria were all randomized controlled clinical studies involving Achilles tendon injuries. Studies that: (1) were not level 1 evidence (including editorial, commentary, review, or technique articles), (2) omitted outcome data or PROMs, (3) included injuries aside from Achilles tendon ruptures, (4) involved non-human or cadaveric subjects, (5) were not written in English, and (6) were duplicates were excluded. Demographics and outcome measures were assessed in the studies included for final review.ResultsOut of 18,980 initial results, 46 studies were included for final review. The average number of patients per study was 65.5. Mean follow up was 25 months. The most common study design involved comparing two different rehabilitation interventions (48 %). Twenty different outcome measures were reported including the Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS) (48 %), followed by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle score Ankle-Hindfoot score (AOFAS-AH) (46 %), the Leppilahti score (20 %), and the RAND-36/Short Form (SF) − 36/SF-12 scores (20 %). An average of 1.4 measures were reported per study.ConclusionSignificant heterogeneity exists in PROM usage among level 1 studies involving Achilles tendon ruptures, which prevents meaningful interpretation of these data across multiple studies. We advocate for usage of at least the disease-specific Achilles Tendon Rupture score and a global, quality of life (QOL) survey such as the SF-36/12/RAND-36. Future literature should provide more evidence-based guidelines for PROM usage in this context.Level of evidenceLevel IV; Systematic Review     

Outcome of achilles tendon ruptures treated by a limited open technique

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical management of Achilles tendon ruptures remains a topic of active debate. Recently, many authors have preferred the limited open method because it afforded sufficient visualization to ensure anatomic apposition of disrupted tendon fibers, minimized local blood supply disturbances, guaranteed free tendon movement, and produced excellent cosmesis. We report our initial experience with this technique and review the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The outcomes of 30 consecutive patients that underwent limited open repair for Achilles tendon rupture using Achillon (Newdeal SA, Lyon, France) from June 2003 to May 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 20 men and 10 women, of average age 38.6 years, and the average followup period was 18.5 months. Twenty of the injuries were sports-related, eight were caused by a fall, and two by a laceration. The clinical results were assessed using patient satisfaction, the ankle-hindfoot scale of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and the occurrence of complications. RESULTS: At last followup, sixteen patients were very satisfied, 11 were satisfied, and the remaining three were dissatisfied. Mean patient AOFAS score was 93.0 points. Surgical complications noted were re-rupture in two cases, deep infection in one, and sural nerve injury in one. All patients except the three patients with a re-rupture or infection, returned to work 2 months postoperatively and resumed light exercise at 3 months, and previous sporting activities by 6 months. CONCLUSION: The described limited open repair technique for Achilles tendon ruptures provided excellent cosmetic results, satisfactory functional results, and a high level of patient satisfaction.     

Reconstruction of neglected traumatic Achilles tendon rupture in a young girl

Posttraumatic neglected Achilles tendon ruptures in a young patient have not been described in the literature to our knowledge; indeed, neglected ruptures of the Achilles tendon have only rarely been described in adults. We present the case of a 7 year old girl with posttraumatic neglected rupture of the Achilles tendon that was operated on 8 weeks after the trauma.