Value of magnetic resonance imaging in monitoring Achilles tendon healing after percutaneous suture using the Dresden technique

PurposeTendon healing is a complex process taking place in several stages. There is a paucity of data on tendon morphology after percutaneous repair for acute Achilles tendon rupture.Materials and methodsWe used high field MRI (1.5 Tesla to 3 Tesla) with T1 and T2-weighted sequences including fat suppression to assess the healing process after percutaneous Achilles tendon repair using the Dresden technique. MRI was performed at 3, 6, 8 and 12 months postoperatively.ResultsDuring tendon repair a gradual transition from an irregular and hyperintense signal toward a more homogeneous and hypointense signal was observed inside the Achilles tendon after percutaneous repair. These changes took place centripetally. During the early and late remodeling phase at 6 and 12 months, respectively, the tendons look thickened and homogeneous in both sequences.ConclusionsMRI represents an excellent means of monitoring the healing process after percutaneous Achilles tendon repair. The results of the present study confirm that the percutaneous, peritendineum preserving technique with the Dresden instrument results in a near physiologic centripetal tendon healing.     

An anatomical and cadaveric study examining the risk of sural nerve injury in percutaneous Achilles tendon repair using the Achillon device

BackgroundPercutaneous Achilles tendon repairs are gaining in popularity. This study aims to quantify the risk of sural nerve injury when using the Achillon device.MethodsThe Achillon device was instrumented into 15 cadaveric specimens and through dissection the rate of sural nerve puncture and the position of the sural nerve in relation to the Achilles tendon was documented.ResultsThe sural nerve was found lateral to the Achilles tendon insertion point over a range of 14.3 mm and crossed the lateral border of the Achilles tendon over a range of 57.7 mm.The sural nerve was punctured a total of 6 times and in 4 out of 15 cadaveric specimens (27%). Four out of the 6 punctures occurred when the Achillon device was instrumented distally.ConclusionsThe sural nerve displays a highly variable anatomical course and there is a risk of puncture during percutaneous Achilles tendon repair using the Achillon device.     

不剥离骨膜法肋骨钉内固定治疗多发肋骨骨折的随机对照研究

目的 分别运用Achillon吻合器和改良Kessler缝合法治疗急性闭合性跟腱断裂,随访比较患者的临床效果和功能恢复情况.方法从2009年3月至2012年2月,随机采用 Achillon吻合器微创修复与改良Kessler缝合法治疗49例急性闭合性跟腱断裂.其中Achillon 微创修复28例,改良Kessler法缝合21例.两组均无需行拇长屈肌或腓肠肌延长术.本研究平均随访21个月,分别在术后1周、第6个月、第12个月、随访结束期4个时间段,对两组患者的手术时间、住院时间、切口长度、踝关节运动范围、美国足踝外科协会（AOFAS）踝-后足疗效评分进行评价.结果在术后1周内,Achillon组发生1例神经损伤,改良Kessler组发生2例创口浅表感染,1例延迟愈合.两组并发症发生率差异无统计学意义（P=0.41）.在第6月,Achillon组AOFAS评分要优于改良Kessler组,第12月时两组无明显差异.术后两组踝关节运动范围,差异无统计学意义.截止随访结束时,所有患者均恢复到受伤前运动水平.结论两种缝合方法均能取得良好的疗效,相比改良Kessler缝合法,采用Achillon吻合器具有切口小、住院时间短、功能恢复快、术后美观等优点.     

High resolution real time ultrasonography of the sural nerve after percutaneous repair of the Achilles tendon

Background

Percutaneous Achilles tendon repair has been developed to minimise soft tissue complications following treatment of tendon ruptures. However, there are concerns because of the risk of sural nerve injury. Few studies have investigated the relationship between the Achilles tendon, the sural nerve and its several anatomical course variants.

Early rehabilitation after open repair for patients with a rupture of the Achilles tendon

PurposeAs outdoor activities participation increase, Achilles tendon rupture incidence also tends to increase. There are a number of treatment and rehabilitation options for a ruptured Achilles tendon. However, the optimal rehabilitation protocols are still under debate. The purpose of this study is to determine whether early rehabilitation is more effective than conventional rehabilitation.MethodsMedical records of 56 patients who had been treated with open repair after a ruptured Achilles tendon were retrospectively reviewed. 24 patients were treated postoperatively with below knee cast immobilization for four weeks, and they started tolerable weight-bearing rehabilitation at four weeks’ follow-up. The remaining 32 patients were managed postoperatively with short leg splint immobilization for two weeks and started the tolerable weight-bearing at two weeks’ follow-up. We evaluated the patients several times to identify when the single heel raise was possible and measured the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores and Achilles tendon total rupture scores (ATRS) as a functional outcome.ResultsThe single heel raise test was positive in all patients at the last assessment. But there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p = 0.137). The patients in the Cast group took significantly more time to return to work than did the patients in the Splint group (p = 0.032). And AOFAS scores and ATRS were slightly higher in the Splint group than in the Cast group. There were statistically significant differences (p = 0.042, p = 0.028) between the two groups.ConclusionThe early rehabilitation did not lead to greater endurance, but it showed better results in the return to work and the Achilles functional score. Early rehabilitation after open repair for patients with a ruptured Achilles tendon is helpful for functional recovery.Type of study / Level of evidence: Therapeutic, Level III.     

The repair of the Achilles tendon rupture: comparison of two percutaneous techniques

This study proposes a comparison between two percutaneous techniques of subcutaneous Achilles tendon rupture by evaluating the risk of lesion developing, the morbidity of the surgical technique adopted and the effectiveness of each technique. Sixty patients were operated at Padua Orthopaedic Clinic by using the two different procedures: (1) Ma and Griffith in 30 cases and (2) Tenolig in 30 cases. Risk of rupture developing has been evaluated in relation to sex, age, side, kind of trauma, work and presence of preoperative risk factors. The Morbidity of surgical technique has been evaluated in with respect to surgical time, hospital permanence, immobilization, active nonweight-bearing mobilization, assisted weight bearing until the full one, number of early and late complications before and after hospital discharge. Effectiveness has been evaluated in relation to return time to common life, work and sport; anatomical and functional features have been evaluated using McComis score, rating results as: very good (from 80 to 70), good (from 69 to 60), fair (from 59 to 50) and poor (<50). Tenolig group shows shorter average time from hospital admission and operation, hospital permanence and immobilization (P < 0.05), and it results in an easier and quicker execution and functionally stimulates the tendon healing in a short time. Effectiveness was the same for both techniques because average McComis score was good (P = 0.35), and there was no significant differences in common life returning time (P = 0.12). Tenolig technique seems to be preferable to Ma and Griffith.     

Anatomic relationship of the sural nerve when performing Achilles tendon repair using the percutaneous Achilles repair system,a cadaveric study

BackgroundMinimally invasive techniques for Achilles tendon repair are increasing due to reports of similar rerupture rates using open and percutaneous techniques with fewer wound complications and quicker recovery with percutaneous methods. The goal of this study was to investigate quantitatively the relationship and risk of injury to the sural nerve during Achilles tendon repair when using the Percutaneous Achilles Repair System (PARS) (Arthrex®, Naples, FL), by recording the distance between the passed needles and the sural nerve as well identifying any direct violation of the nerve with needle passage or nerve entrapment within the suture after the jig was removed. The hypothesis of the study is that the PARS technique can be performed safely and without significant risk of injury to the sural nerve.MethodsA total of five needles were placed through the PARS jig in each of 10 lower extremity cadaveric specimens using the proximal portion after simulation of a midsubstance Achilles tendon rupture. Careful dissection was performed to measure the distance of the sural nerve in relation to the passed needles. The sutures were then pulled out through the incision as the jig was removed from the proximal portion of the tendon and observation of the suture in relation to the tendon was documented.ResultsOf the 10 cadaveric specimens, none had violation of the sural nerve. Zero of the 50 (0%) needles directly punctured the sural nerve. In addition, upon retraction of the jig, all sutures were noted to reside within the tendon sheath with no entrapment of the sural nerve noted.ConclusionThis study demonstrated the variable course of the sural nerve and identifies the potential risk for sural nerve injury when using the PARS for Achilles tendon repair. However, this study provides additional evidence of safety from an anatomic standpoint that explains the outcomes demonstrated in the clinical trials. With this information the authors believe surgeons should feel comfortable they can replicate those outcomes while minimizing risk of sural nerve injury when the technique is used correctly.     

Percutaneous suturing of the ruptured Achilles tendon with endoscopic control

Introduction  A prospective study of modified percutaneous Achilles tendon repair performed between 1999 and 2005 under local infiltration anesthesia is presented; the study evaluated the results of percutaneous repair technique by visualization of the synovia under endoscopic control, followed by early functional postoperative treatment for surgical intervention of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Patients  Sixty-two patients (58 males, 4 females, mean age 32) were treated by percutaneous suturing with modified Bunnel technique under endoscopic control within 10 days after acute total rupture. Physiotherapy was initiated immediately after the operation and patients were encouraged to weight-bearing ambulation with a walking brace-moon boot as tolerated. Full weight-bearing was allowed minimum after 3 weeks postoperatively without brace. Results  The procedure was tolerated in all patients. There were no significant ROM limitation was observed. Two patients experienced transient hypoesthesia in the region of sural nerve that spontaneously resolved in 6 months. Fifty-nine patients (95%) including professional athletes returned to their previous sportive activities, while 18 of them (29%) had some minor complaints. The interval from injury to return to regular work and rehabilitation training was 11.7 weeks (10–13 weeks). At the latest follow-up (mean: 46 months; range: 12–78 months), all the patients had satisfactory results with a mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society’s ankle-hindfoot score of 94.6. No re-ruptures, deep venous thrombosis or wound problems occurred. Conclusion  The proposed method offers a reasonable treatment option for acute total Achilles tendon rupture with a low number of complications. The rerupture rate and return to preinjury activities are comparable to open and percutaneous without endoscopic control procedures.     

A novel repair method for the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture with minimally invasive approach using button implant: A biomechanical study

BackgroundMinimally invasive Q3 repair has been proposed for acute Achilles tendon rupture with low rate of complications. However there are still controversies about optimal technique. In this study we aimed to describe Endobutton-assisted modified Bunnell configuration as a new Achilles tendon repair technique and evaluate its biomechanical properties comparing with native tendon and Krackow technique.Methods27 ovine Achilles tendons were obtained and randomly placed into 3 groups with 9 specimens ineach. The Achilles tendons were repaired with Endobutton-assisted modified Bunnell technique in group 1, Krackow suture technique in group 2 and group 3 was defined as the control group including native tendons. Unidirectional tensile loading to failure was performed at 25 mm/min. Biomechanicalproperties such as peak force to failure (N), stress at peak (MPa), elongation at failure, and Young'smodulus (GPa) was measured for each group. All groups were compared with each other using one-wayANOVA followed by the Tukey HSD multiple comparison test (a = 0.05).ResultsThe average peak force (N) to failure of group 1 and group 2 and control group was 415.6 ± 57.6, 268.1 ± 65.2 and 704.5 ± 85.8, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between native tendon and group 1 for the amount elongation at failure (p > 0.05).ConclusionsRegarding the results, we concluded that Endobutton-assisted modified Bunnell technique provides stronger fixation than conventional techniques. It may allow early range of motion and can be easily applied in minimally invasive and percutaneous methods particularly for cases with poor quality tendon at the distal part of rupture.Level of evidenceLevel II, Biomechanical research study.     

跟健龙治疗急性跟腱断裂的近期临床疗效

目的:探讨应用跟健龙吻合器治疗急性跟腱断裂的临床效果。方法:自2009年4月至2010年4月,应用跟健龙治疗19例急性跟腱断裂,男17例,女2例;年龄30～58岁,平均40.2岁;运动伤17例,摔伤2例;受伤至手术时间0～8d,平均2.2d。所有患者术前Thompson试验、单足提锺试验为阳性。术后采用患者满意度和美国足踝外科协会(AOFAS)踝与后足评分对跟腱恢复情况进行评估。结果:所有患者获随访,时间12～28个月,平均19.9个月。平均手术时间41min,所有切口Ⅰ期愈合,无感染、局部不良反应、跟腱再断裂、腓肠神经损伤等并发症发生。18例对手术结果满意,1例感觉一般(跑步时感觉轻度疼痛),至最终随访时所有患者对工作及生活满意。小腿中段周径萎缩平均(0.82±0.85)cm(0～3.0cm)。最终随访AOFAS评分平均(98.42±3.29)分(89～100分)。结论:跟健龙装置治疗急性跟腱断裂安全有效,并发症发生率低,术后可早期功能锻炼,是治疗闭合性跟腱断裂的较好方法。     

Percutaneus repair in acute Achilles tendon rupture. Our experience in Chile

BackgroundThere is still no consensus in the literature regarding the ideal treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures.Materials & MethodsWe conducted a selective literature review and analyzed our own results.ResultsOpen surgery offers good functional results, but presents high rates of surgical wound complications. Conservative treatment is also described as a good option, but rerupture rates are significantly higher than with surgical treatment. On the other hand, percutaneous treatment offers great functional outcomes with minimal soft tissue damage, making it for us our treatment of choice in this type of injury.OutlookIn Chile, we have been developing some modifications to the original technique described by the Dresden Group in order to increase tensile forces of the repair and offer our patients a quicker and safer recovery.     

腓动脉主穿支蒂腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复跟腱区创面

目的 探讨应用改良腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣修复跟腱区创面的方法及疗效.方法 设计切取以最低位腓动脉主穿支为蒂的矩形腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣,修复跟腱后皮瓣旋转180°,远、近端交换覆盖创面.供区一般直接缝合,个别病例需小面积全厚植皮.结果 2005年6月至2008年10月临床应用15例,皮瓣切取面积13 cm ×15 cm～ 18 cm ×9 cm,均全部成活.术后随访10～ 17个月,足踝功能良好,外形轮廓接近正常.结论 该皮瓣血供确切,修复后外形平整美观,利于正常穿鞋行走,适用于跟腱区创面缺损的修复.     

跟腱裸露创面的修复

目的探讨采用皮瓣修复跟腱裸露创面的临床效果。方法 2006年5月-2010年5月,收治21例跟腱部皮肤软组织缺损患者。男15例,女6例;年龄7～63岁,中位年龄34岁。致伤原因:运动伤4例,车轮绞伤7例,重物挤压伤5例,慢性溃疡3例,跟腱延长术后2例。均伴跟腱部皮肤软组织缺损或坏死,缺损范围为2 cm×2 cm～10 cm×8 cm。经清创、换药后采用内踝上筋膜皮瓣5例、逆行腓肠神经营养血管皮瓣8例、足外侧皮瓣2例、足内侧皮瓣2例、腓动脉穿支皮瓣4例修复创面。皮瓣切取范围为3 cm×3 cm～12 cm×10 cm。供区采用中厚皮片游离植皮或直接拉拢缝合。跟腱断裂采用直接缝合2例,Abraham法缝合2例。结果术后2例皮瓣边缘部分坏死,经换药后愈合;其余皮瓣均顺利成活,创面Ⅰ期愈合。供区切口均Ⅰ期愈合,植皮顺利成活。21例均获随访,随访时间6～18个月,平均12个月。皮瓣质地柔软、无磨损及破溃,患足穿鞋、行走正常。皮瓣两点辨别觉为10～20 mm,平均14 mm。踝关节功能采用美国矫形足踝协会(AOFAS)评分系统:获优10例,良7例,可3例,差1例,优良率为81.0%。14例提踵功能良好;5例能完成提踵,但力量较健侧差;2例不能提踵。结论跟腱裸露创面应根据创面情况,选择合适的带血管蒂皮瓣尽早修复。     

Surgical management of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures using less invasive techniques

Background

Surgical management of chronic Tendo Achillis (TA) ruptures usually requires tendon grafting procedures. Several techniques have been described.We examined the outcome of three different less invasive (incisions length less than 3?cm) tendon transfer techniques in the management of patients with a chronic rupture of the TA.

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.     

Alterations in structure of the muscle-tendon unit and gait pattern after percutaneous repair of Achilles tendon rupture with the Dresden instrument

BackgroundFunctional deficits after Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures are observed. The relationship between musculotendinous structural alterations and functional outcome is not clear.MethodsKinematic analyses (level walking, stair climbing), patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), calf atrophy (maximum calf circumference (MCC)), and AT length were evaluated in patients after percutaneous AT repair with the Dresden instrument (n = 20 min. follow-up: 24 months).ResultsPatients achieved good results in PROMs. However, MCC decreased significantly and AT length increased significantly postoperatively. Side-to-side MCC differences over 2 cm resulted in significantly lower PROMs. AT lengthening correlated with increased dorsiflexion and decreased plantarflexion.ConclusionCalf atrophy and AT lengthening after minimally invasive AT repair resulted in inferior ankle kinematics and PROMs.     

Long term results of acute Achilles repair with triple-bundle technique and early rehabilitation protocol

Background

The best treatment for acute rupture of the Achilles tendon is still under debate. Our purpose was to evaluate surgical triple-bundle technique in selected patients with full subcutaneous rupture of Achilles tendon.

Methods

Sixty-six consecutive patients (56 men, 10 women; age range 20–61 years) with full unilateral rupture of the Achilles tendon were surgically treated by the triple-bundle technique. Seventy-four percent of the lesions occurred during sport activity. Each patient was assessed by: (1) The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score; (2) the Leppilahti score; (3) the range of movement measurement of ankle joint; (4) ipsilateral thigh, calf, and ankle circumferences compared to the contralateral limb; (5) functional evaluation with isokinetic dynamometry of both limbs.

Results

80.3% of the patients were fully satisfied (AOFAS ≥90) with treatment and resumed their previous level of sport. Concerning the outcomes, (1) the mean AOFAS score at 36 months was 93.9; (2) the mean Leppilahti score at 36 months was 91.8; (3) the mean difference in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion between the healthy side and the operated side was 4.3° and 6.9°, respectively. We observed calf muscle hypotrophy in two cases and scar complication in one. No re-ruptures occurred. Isokinetic tests performed 36 months after surgery showed a good restoration of plantarflexion. At univariate analysis AOFAS was influenced by age and difference between the healthy side and the operated side in dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, and circumference at all three levels and strenght at 60°/s. At univariate analysis, Leppilahti score confirmed the significant parameters of the AOFAS with the exception of age and difference of thigh circumference. The only predictive parameters in multivariate analysis were dorsiflexion difference (O.R. = 0.831; 95% C.I. 0.694–0.995; p = 0.044) and plantarflexion difference (O.R. = 0.777; 95% C.I. 0.631–0.958; p = 0.018).

Conclusion

In this case series the triple-bundle technique showed a low rate of complications and good functional restore tested with isokinetic tests. For these reasons afforded by biomechanical strength test reported in literature, this technique has to be considered a valid choice for the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture in young patients with a high level of sport activity.     

Prospective randomized clinical trial of aggressive rehabilitation after acute Achilles tendon ruptures repaired with Dresden technique

BackgroundRupture of the Achilles tendon is a common injury during working years. Aggressive rehabilitation may provide better outcomes, but also a greater chance of re-rupture.ObjectiveTo determine if aggressive rehabilitation has better clinical outcomes for Achilles tendon function, Triceps surae function, one-leg heel rise capacity and lower complication rate during twelve weeks after percutaneous Achilles tendon repair compared to conventional rehabilitation.DesignRandomized controlled trial.MethodThirty-nine patients were prospectively randomized. The aggressive group (n = 20, 41.4 ± 8.3 years) received rehabilitation from the first day after surgery. The conventional group (n = 19, 41.7 ± 10.7 years) rested for 28 days, before rehabilitation started. The statistical parameters were the Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS), verbal pain scale, time to return to work, pain medication consumption, Achilles tendon strength, dorsiflexion range of motion (RoM), injured-leg calf circumference, calf circumference difference, one-leg heel rise repetition and difference, re-rupture rate, strength deficit rate, and other complication rates. Mixed-ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test were performed for multiple comparisons. Student's t-test was performed for parameters measured on the 12th week.ResultsThe aggressive group with respect to the conventional group had a higher ATRS; lower verbal pain score; lower pain medication consumption; early return to work; higher Achilles tendon strength; higher one-leg heel rise repetitions; and lower one-leg heel rise difference. The re-rupture rate was 5% and 5%, the strength deficit rate was 42% and 5%, and other complications rate was 11% and 15% in the conventional and aggressive group, respectively.ConclusionPatients with Dresden repair and aggressive rehabilitation have better clinical outcomes, Achilles tendon function and one-leg heel rise capacity without increasing the postoperative complications rate after 12 weeks compared to rehabilitation with immobilization and non-weight-bearing during the first 28 days after surgery.     

Achilles tendon ruptures treated by percutaneous tenorrhaphy -Multicentric study of 60 cases

Summary Percutaneous tenorrhaphy using the Delponte technique considerably improves the early and late results of Achilles tendon ruptures. By avoiding all plaster immobilisation it permits progressive weight bearing from the 14th day, without an increased risk of complications.