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Achilles tendon ruptures in elite athletes
Nicola Maffulli1, Umile Giuseppe Longo, Gayle D Maffulli
1Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, 275 Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, United Kingdom. n.maffulli@qmul.ac.uk
Foot & Ankle International
|February 4, 2011
Summary
Percutaneous repair of Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures in elite athletes offers a safe and effective treatment. This method facilitates a quick return to sport, with most athletes resuming full participation within 5 months.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures present management challenges in elite athletes.
- Evaluating surgical outcomes for acute AT ruptures is crucial for this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of percutaneous repair for acute Achilles tendon ruptures in elite athletes.
- To determine the functional recovery and return-to-sport timeline following this surgical technique.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 17 elite athletes with acute AT ruptures.
- Surgical repair was performed percutaneously.
- Preoperative and postoperative evaluations included the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), with an average follow-up of 72 months.
Main Results:
- All athletes achieved full weight-bearing by 8 weeks post-surgery.
- The average time to return to full sport participation was 4.8 months.
- A low complication rate was observed, with two athletes experiencing superficial wound infections.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous Achilles tendon repair is a viable surgical option for elite athletes.
- This technique supports a safe and expedited return to athletic activities.
- The study indicates favorable outcomes and functional recovery in this cohort.
