Percutaneous repair of the Achilles tendon in athletes

The rupture of the Achilles tendon during amateur or professional sport-related activities is becoming more frequent, as is the request for treatments that enable the fastest possible recovery. This study includes 30 patients who sustained rupture of the Achilles tendon during various sport activities; for the last five years we have performed percutaneous suture repair by means of two parallel Dacron threads equipped with a harpoon and a malleable needle. This method alone enables immediate mobilization and an early load, preserves the blood supply of the paratenon, benefits from the motion which accelerates repair, without the well known complications produced both by the non-operative and by open surgical treatments. Excellent results have been achieved and all patients returned to their pre-injury level of sports activity after 120 to 150 days.