Acute achilles tendon rupture in athletes

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Sports medicine
• Musculoskeletal injuries

Background:

• Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures show a rising incidence.
• Ruptures commonly affect sedentary individuals aged 30-40 during occasional sports, but also elite athletes.
• Clinical assessment followed by imaging is crucial for diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the management of Achilles tendon ruptures.
• To highlight the limitations of conservative and open surgical approaches.
• To present percutaneous repair as a method to avoid surgical site complications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review on Achilles tendon rupture management.
• Analysis of outcomes for conservative, open surgical, and percutaneous repair techniques.
• Evaluation of complication rates, including wound breakdown and rerupture.

Main Results:

• Conservative management and early mobilization yield good results but have an unacceptable rerupture rate in active individuals.
• Open surgery is common but carries risks of skin breakdown and wound issues.
• Percutaneous repair can prevent these surgical wound complications.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous repair is a viable alternative for Achilles tendon ruptures, mitigating risks associated with open surgery.
• This technique addresses the need for effective treatment while minimizing wound complications.
• Further consideration of percutaneous repair is warranted for managing Achilles tendon injuries.