Operative treatment of chronic Achilles tendinopathy

Seventy-six patients with Achilles tendinopathies (n=86) operated between 1980 and 1995 were retrospectively evaluated at an average follow-up of 13 (5-21) years. Total or gross partial ruptures were excluded. Patients' average age at surgery was 38 (18-58) years. The majority of patients were active in competitive or recreational sports. Tendinopathies were classified in peritendinitis, tendinosis, insertional tendinopathies, and mixed forms. The surgical technique depended entirely on the pathology encountered. For 32 cases of peritendinitis, results were excellent in 26, good in four, and poor in two. For eight cases of tendinosis, results were excellent in four and good in four. For 34 cases of insertional tendinopathy, results were excellent in 22, good in four, fair in four, and poor in four. For 12 cases of mixed tendinopathies, results were excellent in ten and good in two. Forty-nine patients (52 cases) were able to return to sport at the desired level.