Sclerosing injections to treat midportion Achilles tendinosis: a randomised controlled study evaluating two different concentrations of Polidocanol

Two to three ultrasound (US) and colour Doppler (CD)-guided injections of the sclerosing substance Polidocanol (5 mg/ml) have been demonstrated to give good clinical results in patients with chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy. This study aimed to investigate if a higher concentration of Polidocanol (10 mg/ml) would lead to a less number of treatments, and lower volumes, needed for good clinical results. Fifty-two consecutive Achilles tendons (48 patients, mean age 49.6 years) with chronic painful midportion Achilles tendinopathy, were randomised to treatment with Polidocanol 5 mg/ml (group A) or 10 mg/ml (group B). The patients and treating physician were blinded to the concentration of Polidocanol injected. All patients had structural tendon changes and neovascularisation in the Achilles midportion. Treatment was US + CD-guided injections targeting the region with neovascularisation (outside ventral tendon). A maximum of three treatments (6-8 weeks in between) were given before evaluation. Patients not satisfied after three treatments were given additional treatment with Polidocanol 10 mg/ml, up to five treatments. For evaluation, the patients recorded the severity of Achilles tendon pain during activity on a visual analogue scale (VAS), before and after treatment. Patient satisfaction with treatment was also assessed. At follow-up (mean 14 months) after three treatments, 18/26 patients in group A and 19/26 patients in group B were satisfied with the treatment and had a significantly reduced level of tendon pain (P < 0.05). After completion of the study, additional treatments with Polidocanol 10 mg/ml in the not satisfied patients resulted in 26/26 satisfied patients in both groups A and B. In summary, we found no significant differences in the number of satisfied patients, number of injections or volumes given, between patients treated with 5 or 10 mg/ml Polidocanol.     

Endoscopic calcaneoplasty combined with Achilles tendon repair

Endoscopic calcaneoplasty is a minimally invasive technique for resection of inflamed retrocalcaneal bursa as well as the posterosuperior part of the calcaneus. A relative contra-indication for this technique is a tear of the Achilles tendon. In this report, we describe the treatment of a patient with Haglund’s deformity associated with a tear of the Achilles tendon. Both the lesions are treated endoscopically. The technique is described and the pitfalls are discussed.     

V-Y肌腱瓣修补术治疗陈旧性跟腱断裂

目的 研究V—Y肌腱瓣修补术治疗陈旧性跟腱断裂的手术方法及结果。方法 对9例平均112d的陈旧性跟腱断裂患，采用小腿三头肌V—Y肌腱瓣修补术治疗修补缺损为3．2～6cm，平均4．6cm。结果 平均随访2年8个月，按Arner-Lindholm疗效评定标准评估，优7例(77．8％)，良2例(22．2％)，优良率为100％。结论 对于陈旧性跟腱断裂，小腿三头肌V—Y肌腱瓣修补术足一种方法简单、疗效满意的手术方法。     

Variation in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon

The palmaris longus is harvested as a tendon graft in various surgical procedures. We herein report the variations in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon. During a routine dissection, a rare variation in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon was observed. In the left forearm, the palmaris longus tendon bifurcated, while in the right forearm, the palmaris longus tendon trifurcated, giving rise to an accessory muscle, which passed superficial to the ulnar artery and ulnar nerve. The accessory muscle was supplied by a deep branch of the ulnar nerve, and the ulnar artery was observed to be tortuous. During reconstructive surgeries, surgeons should bear in mind the accessory muscle. Also, since the palmaris longus muscle provides a very useful graft in tendon surgery, every surgeon should be aware of the variations in the insertion of the palmaris longus tendon.     

Neglected patellar tendon rupture: a case of reconstruction without quadriceps lengthening

Neglected rupture of the patellar tendon is a rare, can be easily missed in a group of patients. We present a 24 year old, male patient who sustained right femoral diaphyseal and tibial plateau fractures and a patellar tendon rupture following a motor vehicle accident. The fractures were treated by open reduction internal fixation but the patellar tendon rupture was missed and the diagnosis was delayed by 7 months. Patella was migrated proximally. It was moved distally to the original location and neglected patellar tendon rupture treated successfully with modified Ecker technique. Neither preoperative traction nor additional intraoperative procedures were performed to relocate the patella to its anatomic position in the extended knee and good functional result was achieved with intensive rehabilitation.     

跟骨结节切除术治疗跟腱末端病

目的探讨跟骨结节切除术治疗跟腱末端病的疗效。方法15例跟腱末端病患者采用跟骨结节切除术,术中切除足够大的骨块,行撞击试验证实跟骨后间隙得以充分减压。术后石膏固定4周。结果15例获6个月-2年随访。采用Sammarco和Taylor疗效评价标准：优11足,良3足,可2足。术后1例切口边缘坏死,经清创换药愈合,1例足跟部麻木,于术后3个月症状消失;所有患者踝关节背伸跖屈正常。结论跟骨结节切除术治疗跟腱末端病具有较好的临床疗效,术中细致操作、足够大的骨块切除是手术成功的关键。     

关节镜下同种异体肌腱双束法重建前交叉韧带

目的探讨同种异体肌腱移植重建关节内韧带,双束韧带即前内束（AM）、后外束（PL）重建前交叉韧带（ACL）,完善韧带修补重建的条件,以期达到ACL重建后膝关节的生物力下曲率运动的均衡和对膝关节回旋稳定的调控。方法对67例ACL患者应用同种异体肌腱重建ACL。股骨髁侧椭圆形隧道,应用Arthrax公司提供的横钉固定肌腱法固定;胫骨侧建立ACL—AM和ACL—PL双隧道,挤压钉固定。结果67例均获随访,时间12—36（18．4±3．8）个月,Lysholm评分：术前（34．47±1．5）分,术后3个月（78．35±3．4）分,术后6个月（81．88±3．3）分,术后12个月（87．76±2．1）分,术后18个月（89．70±3．5）分。有关节软骨损伤者,影响术后Lysholm评分。结论同种异体肌腱可以满足韧带受区的要求,双束ACL重建符合膝关节韧带4连杆曲率生物运动模式,膝关节回旋稳定度高。手术操作简单,效果良好。     

Spontaneous and simultaneous rupture of both Achilles tendons and pathological fracture of the femur neck in a patient receiving long-term hemodialysis

Spontaneous rupture of the Achilles tendons in hemodialysis patients is a rare complication. The majority of these patients have additional predisposing factors, such as previous use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics or corticosteroids. Spontaneous rupture of bilateral Achilles tendons without any of those predisposing factors is exceptional. In this paper, we report a 43-year-old woman who had been undergoing regular hemodialysis for 16 years. She developed bilateral spontaneous and simultaneous rupture of the Achilles tendons. She also developed pathological fracture of right femur neck 3 years later. Based on previous cases of tendon ruptures in uremic patients and the lack of history for the use of corticosteroids or fluoroquinolones, we believe that secondary hyperparathyroidism is the predisposing factor in this patient.     

Incidence and effect of calcifications after open-augmented Achilles tendon repair

Background and aims

The objective of this study was to analyse the incidence and effect on clinical outcome of post-operative Achilles tendon calcifications after open-augmented repair according to the Silfverskjöld technique.

Patients/methods

This retrospective study presents the results of follow-up examinations on 104 patients with Achilles tendon rupture who were treated according to the Silfverskjöld technique. Post-operative calcifications were identified by means of sonography, and clinical outcome was evaluated using the 100 points Thermann score. The average follow-up examination period was 3.7 years with an average patient age of 42.9 years. Two groups were identified and included those with (Group I) and those without (Group II) calcifications. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the Thermann score for both groups and was compared statistically by means of the two random sample t-test.

Results

Fifteen patients (Group I) developed tendon calcifications (14.4%) and 89 none (Group II). Group I scored 88.0 points and Group II 88.1 (good to very good outcome). There were no negative effects on clinical outcome (t = 0.98).

Conclusions

The incidence of tendon calcification after open-augmented repair of Achilles tendon rupture was 14.4% with no negative effects on clinical outcome as measured by the Thermann score.     

Use of the Ponseti method for recurrent clubfoot following posteromedial release

Background:

A child with recurrent or incompletely corrected clubfoot after previous extensive soft tissue release is treated frequently with revision surgery. This leads to further scarring, pain and limitations in range of motion. We have utilized the Ponseti method of manipulation and casting and when indicated, tibialis anterior tendon transfer, instead of revision surgery for these cases.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective review of all children treated since 2002 (n = 11) at our institution for recurrent or incompletely corrected clubfoot after previous extensive soft tissue release was done. Clinical and operative records were reviewed to determine procedure performed. Ponseti manipulation and casting were done until the clubfoot deformity was passively corrected. Based on the residual equinus and dynamic deformity, heel cord lengthening or tenotomy and tibialis anterior transfer were then done. Clinical outcomes regarding pain, function and activity were reviewed.

Results:

Eleven children (17 feet) with ages ranging from 1.1 to 8.4 years were treated with this protocol. All were correctable with the Ponseti method with one to eight casts. Casts were applied until the only deformities remaining were either or both hindfoot equinus and dynamic supination. Nine feet required a heel cord procedure for equinus and 15 required tibialis anterior transfer for dynamic supination. Seven children have follow-up greater than one year (average 27.1 months) and have had excellent results. Two patients had persistent hindfoot valgus which required hemiepiphyseodesis of the distal medial tibia.

Conclusion:

The Ponseti method, followed by tibialis anterior transfer and/or heel cord procedure when indicated, can be successfully used to correct recurrent clubfoot deformity in children treated with previous extensive soft tissue release. Early follow-up has shown correction without revision surgery. This treatment protocol prevents complications of stiffness, pain and difficulty in ambulating associated with multiple soft tissue releases for clubfeet.