Clinical Results of Percutaneous Repair in Acute Closed Rupture of the Achiles Tendon

Abstract

Thirty-three cases of acute closed rupture of the Achilles tendon were treated by percutaneous repair from 1988 through 1993. Subjects consisted of 20 males and 13 females with a mean age of 40 years. The follow-up period was a mean 38.3 months. The ruptured Achilles tendon occurred as a sports injury in 32 cases, including volleyball 16, badminton 6, running 4 and others 6. Mean operative time was 22 minutes. Mean duration of cast immobilization after surgery was 40 days. Full weight-bearing gait was started at a mean of 57.9 days. Regarding postoperative range of motion, the mean angle of dorsiflexion was 14.0 degrees and 51.4 degrees of plantarflexion. Compared with the intact site, both types of flexion decreased but all cases regained normal ADL. Three cases reruptured and 5 cases developed nerve injuries as a postoperative complication. In 66.7% of males, sporting activity returned to the preoperative level, but many females tended to become less active in sports following the injury. We concluded that this method achieved excellent results but attention should be paid for nerve injury and postoperative rehabilitation.