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.     

Fracture of the ankle associated with rupture of the Achilles tendon: case report and review of the literature

SUMMARY: A thirty-five-year-old man fell two meters from a ladder and sustained a closed fracture of the medial malleolus with an ipsilateral complete Achilles tendon rupture. The Achilles tendon rupture was diagnosed by means of the patient's complaints and physical findings. The ankle fracture was diagnosed incidentally on routine radiographs. Such a combination of injuries has been reported infrequently in the literature, and striking similarities have been described in the mechanism of injury and fracture pattern. Remarkably, in three of four reports the combined injury was initially misdiagnosed.     

Acute Calcaneus Tendon Rupture Associated with Ipsilateral Malleolar Fracture: Case Report and Literature Review

Malleolar fractures are rarely associated with lesions of the adjacent tendons or neurovascular structures. The association of ankle fractures with Achilles tendon rupture is even more infrequent, although both of these injuries are very common in and of themselves. To our knowledge, fracture of the lateral malleolus in association with an acute rupture of the ipsilateral calcaneus tendon has not been previously described. In this article, we describe a female patient who sustained an acute rupture of the Achilles tendon in conjunction with fracture of the ipsilateral lateral malleolus.     

Triple Achilles Tendon Rupture: Case Report

We present a case report with 1-year follow-up data of a 57-year-old male soccer referee who had sustained an acute triple Achilles tendon rupture injury during a game. His triple Achilles tendon rupture consisted of a rupture of the proximal watershed region, a rupture of the main body (mid-watershed area), and an avulsion-type rupture of insertional calcific tendinosis. The patient was treated surgically with primary repair of the tendon, including tenodesis with anchors. Postoperative treatment included non-weightbearing for 4 weeks and protected weightbearing until 10 weeks postoperative, followed by formal physical therapy, which incorporated an “antigravity” treadmill. The patient was able to return to full activity after 26 weeks, including running and refereeing, without limitations.     

Unrecognized Pediatric Partial Achilles Tendon Injury Followed by Traumatic Completion: A Case Report and Literature Review

Achilles tendon ruptures are a relatively common athletic injury but are exceedingly rare in the pediatric population. We describe the case of a 10-year-old ice hockey player who experienced an Achilles tendon injury from a laceration to the posterior leg from a skate blade that led to a partial tendon laceration. This tendon injury was initially unrecognized despite an emergency department evaluation. The patient continued to complain of weakness and paresthesia after the skin laceration had healed. A traumatic dorsiflexion injury while running several weeks later led to a traumatic complete tendon rupture. The clinical, operative, and physical therapy records were reviewed to complete the history, treatment, and rehabilitation progress. The initial laceration injury had occurred 6 weeks before presentation, and the traumatic dorsiflexion injury had occurred 2 days before referral to an acute orthopedics clinic. Open repair was performed several days after the traumatic completion of the laceration, and the patient was immobilized in a cast for 5 weeks. The patient had weaned off crutches by 10 weeks postoperatively and had returned to some activities and light skating at 5.5 months. A full return to running and ice hockey had been achieved by 8 months postoperatively. The optimal repair for this injury has not been well established in published studies. We have concluded that laceration injuries have the potential to mask tendon injuries and that prolonged symptoms after a laceration should suggest occult pathologic features. Open tendon repair is a viable treatment option in the pediatric patient with Achilles tendon ruptures. A return to activities within a reasonable period can be expected with robust physical therapy.     

Augmented Repair of Acute Total Achilles Tendon Rupture With Peroneus Brevis Tendon Transfer Using Oblique Transosseous Calcaneal Tunnel: A Prospective Case Series

Acute Achilles tendon rupture is one of the most common tendon injuries. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the functional outcomes of augmented repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture with peroneus brevis tendon transfer and fixation to an oblique calcaneal transosseous tunnel. Functional evaluation was performed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS). Postoperative complications were recorded. This study included 33 males and 9 females, with a mean age of 26.1 ± 4.2 years. The Achilles tendon ruptures were right in 24 patients and left in 18 patients. The cause of rupture was sports injuries in all patients. The mean distance from the calcaneal insertion to the tear site was 4.4 ± 1.3 cm. The mean time from injury to surgery was 2.4 ± 1.6 days. The mean follow-up time was 40.3 ± 4.9 months. The mean AOFAS and ATRS scores were 99.3 ± 1.2 and 95.9 ± 1.9, respectively, at 12 months of follow-up. The mean time to return to work was 12.1 ± 1.2 weeks. The mean time to return to light sports activities was 16.1 ± 1.8 weeks postoperatively. None of the patients developed re-rupture. Augmented repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures with peroneus brevis tendon transfer is a robust repair with excellent functional outcomes and early weight-bearing and return to sports activities.     

Häufig und selten kombiniert ergibt sehr selten Kombinierte Talushalsfraktur und Achillessehnenruptur

BackgroundIn both injuries, an isolated Achilles tendon rupture and a talar neck fracture, the mechanism of injury is supposed to be a forced dorsiflexion of the foot. Yet the combination of these injuries is uncommon. It remains uncertain whether further efforts to diagnose a taler neck fracture in any dorsiflexion foot traumas are made. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the presence of a combination of these injuries could be helpful in the decision making between an operative and a conservative therapy option.Material and MethodsA 44-year old mountain biker suffered a forced dorsiflexion of his left foot after landing a jump. In the clinical examination and radiography a Achilles tendon rupture and a talar neck fracture Hawkins I were diagnosed. Due to the combination of injuries, we decided an operative therapy with screw osteosynthesis and direct tendon repair.ResultThree months post-surgical fixation of the talar neck fracture and repair of the Achilles tendon rupture, the patient had regained full weight bearing function despite a slight reduction of the ROM in dorsiflexion/plantarflexion 10/0/20°.ConclusionConsidering the good outcome in this case we highly recommend an operative procedure. Especially due to the high risk for a secondary dislocation of the talus fracture in case of insufficient immobilization.     

ABO blood groups and musculoskeletal injuries.

The distribution of the ABO blood groups was studied in 917 patients with specific musculoskeletal diagnoses. The ABO blood group distribution of patients with rupture of the Achilles tendon (P = 0.030) and of patients with chronic Achilles peritendinitis (P = 0.10) differed from the controls. The ABO blood group distribution was not associated with other musculoskeletal injuries studied. The blood group A/O ratio was 1.42 in the control population. In the group with rupture of the Achilles tendon this ratio was 1.0, and in the group with Achilles peritendinitis it was 0.70. The association between injuries of the Achilles tendon and the ABO blood group distribution was in accordance with an earlier report. There may be a genetic linkage between the ABO blood groups and the molecular structure of the tissue of Achilles tendons.     

Differences in Rupture Patterns and Associated Lesions Related to Traumatic Distal Triceps Tendon Rupture Between Outstretched Hand and Direct Injuries

BackgroundTraumatic distal triceps tendon rupture results in substantial disability in the absence of an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. To the best of our knowledge, differences in the degree of injury according to the injury mechanisms and associated lesions are not well known.Questions/purposesIn this study, we asked: (1) What differences are seen in triceps tear patterns between indirect injuries (fall on an outstretched hand) and direct injuries? (2) What are the associated elbow and soft tissue injuries seen in indirect and direct triceps ruptures?MethodsBetween 2006 and 2017, one center treated 73 elbows of 72 patients for distal triceps tendon rupture. Of those, 70% (51 of 73 elbows) was excluded from this study; 8% (6 of 73) were related to systemic diseases, 59% (43 of 73) sustained open injuries, and 3% (2 of 73) were related to local steroid injections. We retrospectively collected data on traumatic distal triceps tendon rupture in 30% (22 of 73) of elbows at a single trauma center during a 10-year period. A fall on an outstretched hand was the cause of injury in 15 patients and direct blow by object or contusion were the cause in seven. MRI and surgery were performed in all patients. Traumatic distal triceps tendon rupture was classified by the Giannicola method, which is classified according to the depth and degree of the lesion based on MRI and surgical findings. Associated fractures and bone contusions on MRI were characterized. Ligament injuries on MRI was divided into partial and complete rupture. Agreement between the MRI and intraoperative findings for the presence of a traumatic distal triceps tendon rupture was perfect, and the Giannicola classification of traumatic distal triceps tendon rupture was good (kappa = 0.713).ResultsIn the indirect injury group (fall on an outstretched hand), 15 of 15 patients had injuries that involved only the tendinous portion of the distal triceps, but these injuries were not full-thickness tears, whereas in the direct injury group, three of seven patients had a full-thickness rupture (odds ratio [OR] 1.75 [95% CI 0.92 to 3.32]; p = 0.02). The direct injury group had no associated ligamentous injuries while 14 of 15 patients with indirect injuries had ligamentous injuries (OR 0.13 [95% CI 0.02 to 0.78]; p < 0.001; associated injuries in the indirect group: anterior medial collateral ligament [14 of 15], posterior medial collateral ligament [7 of 15], and lateral collateral ligament complex [2 of 15]). Similarly, one of seven patients in the direct injury group had a bone injury (capitellar contusion), whereas 15 of 15 patients with indirect ruptures had associated fractures or bone contusions (OR 16.0 [95% CI 2.4 to 106.7]; p < 0.001).ConclusionA fall on an outstretched hand may result in an injury mostly to the lateral and long head of distal triceps tendon and an intact medial head tendon; however, direct injuries can involve full-thickness ruptures. Although a traumatic distal triceps tendon rupture occurs after a fall on an outstretched hand, radial neck, capitellar, and medial collateral ligament injury can occur because of valgus load and remnant extensor mechanisms. Based on our finding, the clinician encountering a distal triceps tendon rupture due to a fall on an outstretched hand should be aware of the possibility of remaining elbow extensor mechanism by intact medial head tendon portion, and associated injuries, which may induce latent complications.Level of EvidenceLevel III, prognostic study.     

The Influence of Ankle Position on Radiographic Diagnosis of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

No previous study has demonstrated the relationship between the ankle position and radiographic diagnosis of acute Achilles tendon rupture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of ankle position in the presence of diagnostic radiographic signs in acute Achilles tendon rupture. A retrospective review of 154 ankle lateral radiographs of acute Achilles tendon rupture was performed. Ankle position was classified as dorsiflexion, neutral, or plantar flexion by measurement of the tibiotalar angle. Kager's triangle, Toygar's angle, Arner's sign, and thickening of the Achilles tendon were assessed as diagnostic radiographic signs, and their relations to ankle position were analyzed. Interobserver reliabilities of radiographic signs were moderate to substantial (kappa value, range 0.41-0.68). All 4 signs were significantly more visible in ankle plantar flexion than dorsiflexion. The presence of Toygar's angle and positive Arner's sign were significantly increased in ankle plantar flexion compared to neutral, while the presence of Kager's triangle, and thickening of the Achilles tendon did not differ according to ankle position. The diagnostic radiographic signs of acute Achilles tendon rupture were better presented in ankle plantar flexion position than neutral and dorsiflexion positions. Neutral and dorsiflexion ankle positions should be avoided when performing lateral radiographs of patients with suspected acute Achilles tendon rupture.     

Pathogenesis of Achilles tendon rupture

The etiology underlying ruptures of the Achilles tendon is analyzed in 65 patients in a retrospective clinical study. A typical mechanism leading to a rupture of the tendon consists in an extraordinary tension force applied on a tendon in a state of active preload. A spontaneous rupture was observed in merely 3 cases. In 21 out of 65 patients risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia and arteriosclerosis were present. A systematic application of corticosteroids proved to be a decisive factor in the etiology of a tendon rupture. There was no correlation between the presence of associated risk factors and the degree of histological degeneration. During follow-up 3 re-ruptures and 6 ruptures of the contralateral tendon were registered. Our results lead to the conclusion that the etiology of the rupture of the Achilles tendon is based on a multifactorial disposition which includes the mechanism of injury, preexistent risk-factors as well as degenerative changes in the tendon structure.     

跟腱周围软组织血供与跟腱断裂修补术入路选择的解剖学研究

目的:研究跟腱周围软组织血供,为临床跟腱断裂修补术术式提供解剖学依据。方法:在10具经股动脉灌注氧化铅、明胶混合物成人标本上,对跟腱周围软组织血供进行解剖观测,并在标本上进行模拟术式设计。结果:跟腱被覆区的血液供应分3区:中央区、内侧区和外侧区。跟腱外侧区由腓动脉返支或腓动脉返支分出的3-4个穿支供应,穿支直径约(0.9±0.1)mm,到达跟腱外侧面腱旁。跟腱内侧区血供来自胫后动脉,此动脉分出3-4个穿动脉,直径约(1.0±0.2)mm,到达跟腱前内侧腱旁组织。内、外侧区血液供应丰富,而跟腱中央区皮下组织血液供应较少。结论:跟腱开放性修补术应避免从跟腱正中线切口入路(中央区),而采用正中线旁侧切口入路,这样能有效地降低跟腱修复术术后的并发症。     

Achilles tendon rupture associated with ankle fracture

The case of a 40-year-old man who sustained a medial malleolar fracture with extension of the fracture into the tibial plafond is discussed. Before surgery, the physical examination revealed an Achilles tendon rupture. Surgical treatment to repair the bone and tendon injury was performed. Achilles tendon rupture is not an uncommon injury, but it is rarely associated with a fracture. When a fracture is present, the Achilles tendon injury can be overlooked, which may result in a delay of treatment or residual morbidity.     

腓骨长肌腱移位修复闭合性跟腱断裂

目的探讨腓骨长肌腱移位修复闭合性跟腱断裂的应用解剖、生物力学和手术方法。方法在50侧动脉灌注红色乳胶的成人下肢标本上,观察腓骨长肌腱形态及血液供应,并进行肌腱拉伸破坏实验。设计腓骨长肌腱移位重建跟腱的术式,2001年3月~2004年7月临床应用10例闭合性跟腱断裂的患者,其中男7例,女3例;年龄32~54岁。跳跃伤6例,砸伤2例,踏空伤及自发伤各1例。新鲜伤7例,受伤至手术时间6h~7d;陈旧伤3例,受伤至手术时间21d~3个月。其中完全性断裂8例,不完全性断裂2例。结果腓骨长肌起于胫骨近端及腓骨头,止于第1跖骨基底及骰骨内侧表面,肌腱长13.5±2.5cm;起始部宽0.9±0.2cm,厚0.3±0.1cm;外踝尖平面宽0.7±0.1cm,厚0.4±0.1cm;骰骨头平面宽0.7±0.1cm,厚0.3±0.1cm。有多个血供来源。肌腱拉伸破坏实验示最大拉力:跟腱、腓骨长肌腱、腓骨短肌腱及胫骨后肌腱分别为2292.4±617.3、1020.4±175.4、752.0±165.4及938.2±216.7N。临床应用10例术后切口均期愈合;获随访18~24个月,无再断裂发生,无皮肤坏死等手术并发症。按照AmerLind-holm评定标准优7例,良3例,跟腱功能恢复良好。结论对于闭合性跟腱断裂,腓骨长肌腱移位修复跟腱是一种方法简便,疗效满意的手术方法。     

Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture Using Autologous Semitendinosus Graft in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

Insertional Achilles tendon injuries can be difficult to treat when minimal tendon tissue remains for anastomosis. Moreover, in the chronic case with tendon shortening, operative repair can be more difficult than acute rupture. It is particularly desirable to reinforce the tendons, in addition to performing primary repair, in patients with renal or systemic diseases because of the accelerated collagen degeneration. Many techniques have been described for the surgical management of Achilles tendon rupture; however, none has shown clear superiority. We report the case of a 50-year-old renal transplant patient with a spontaneous distal Achilles tendon injury that we repaired using the pull-out technique reinforced with an autologous semitendinosus graft. At 2 years postoperatively, the ankle-hindfoot scale score was 92 points, and the postoperative course was without complication. We believe that the free hamstring tendon autograft is advantageous for this repair, because it is easy to handle, has limited donor site morbidity, and preserves the structures around the ankle.     

跟腱损伤治疗进展

目的介绍跟睫的解剖、损伤的病因、治疗策略及有关的最新进展。方法查阅国内外近年有关文献，并作综合分析。结果皮质类固醇对肌腱的影响仍存在争议，应用喹诺酮类药物治疗可能和肌腱疾病的发生有关。急性跟腱断裂治疗分为开放手术修复、经皮手术和非手术治疗。结论陈旧性跟腱断裂治疗及跟腱缺损的修复手术方式多种多样。多种生长因子的发现为跟腱损伤的治疗提供了新的途径。     

Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Using the Krackow and Tendon-Bundle Techniques

Background Acute Achilles tendon rupture is a severe injury of the lower extremities;however,optimal treatment options are not yet available.This study aimed to investigate the surgical method and clinical effect of the Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques for managing acute Achilles tendon rupture.Methods This retrospective case series study analyzed 17 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture at the Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from December 2012 to January 2020.There were 16 men and one woman,aged 27–45 years,with an average of 39.6 years.Thirteen patients were injured while playing basketball or badminton,and 4 patients were injured while participating in a football match or other sports.All injuries were repaired using the Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques.Postoperative evaluation indicators included active range of motion during ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion,height of single foot heel lifting,Amer-Lindholm Achilles tendon function score,and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)score.Results The patients were followed-up for 6–45 months(average,18.9 months).There was no re-rupture of the Achilles tendon,wound infection,or sural nerve injury.At the final follow-up,the affected and contralateral sides exhibited plantar flexion of 42.1±4.4°and 43.8±2.8°,dorsiflexion of 15.8±2.9°and 16.6±2.9°,respectively,and one foot exhibited a heel lifting height of 7.2±1.0 cm and 7.5±0.9 cm,respectively.There was no significant difference between the affected and contralateral sides(P>0.05).At the final follow-up,the Amer-Lindholm Achilles tendon function score was excellent in 94.1%(16/17)of the patients and good in 5.9%(1/17)of the patients.The AOFAS scores ranged from 90 to 100,with an average of 96.4±3.7.Conclusion Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques can improve the strength of the suture used for the Achilles tendon repair and ensure good matching for broken ends,and thus it is an effective repair method for closed Achilles tendon injury.     

Stretching for prevention of Achilles tendon injuries: a review of the literature

Professional and recreational athletes commonly perform pre-exercise stretching to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Little definitive evidence exists that clearly demonstrates the efficacy of stretching in reducing injury. Achilles tendon injuries are among the most common injuries affecting active individuals in the United States today. Clinicians commonly recommend stretching the Achilles tendon without concrete scientific evidence to support such a claim. Few studies have addressed the effect of stretching in Achilles tendon injuries, and it is unclear if the conclusions made for musculoskeletal injuries can be applied to the Achilles tendon. Biomechanical studies of the Achilles tendon and measurements of the tendon's reflex activity have demonstrated possible mechanisms for the potential benefit of stretching, including load-induced hypertrophy and increased tendon tensile strength. Recent prospective studies have contended that reductions in plantarflexor strength and increases in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion from stretching the Achilles tendon may increase the risk of injury. Studies examining stretching in injury prevention, the biomechanical properties of injuries to the Achilles tendon were compiled and reviewed. Although many theories have been published regarding the potential benefits and limitations of stretching, few studies have been able to definitively demonstrate its utility in injury prevention.     

应用同种异体肌腱移植修复陈旧性跟腱断裂

目的探讨应用同种异体肌腱移植修复陈旧性跟腱断裂的手术方法. 方法 1996年7月～2000年11月,对6例陈旧性跟腱断裂患者行经过深低温处理的同种异体屈指肌腱移植.在跟腱近、远断端间立体双8字交叉移植进行修复,恢复跟腱断端的连续性和强度. 结果术后6例中有5例获2年以上随访,时间27～53个月.5例切口Ⅰ期愈合,1例切口皮缘坏死,经换药愈合.采用Arner-Lindholm疗效评定方法评估获随访的5例术后功能,优1例,良4例. 结论异体肌腱移植修复陈旧性跟腱断裂,可避免自体取材造成的损伤及可能引起的并发症,供材可提前制作,缩短了手术时间,是一种可行的手术方法.     

Rare injuries of the Achilles tendon (author's transl)

The problems of Achilles tendon rupture become more important, because the number of sport injuries is increasing. The typical rupture (transverse rupture) is well known. However in literature the medial rupture between muscle and tendon of the musc. gastrocnemius and the longitudinal rupture of the Achilles tendon are rarely mentionaled. This article describes the special symptoms of these injuries and their therapy.