[Curative analysis of individual surgery for chronic Achilles tendon rupture]

To investigate the effectiveness of individual surgery for chronic Achilles tendon rupture.

A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 25 patients (26 Achilles tendons) with chronic Achilles tendon rupture between September 2009 and March 2016, including 22 males and 3 females with a mean age of 38 years (range,18-59 years). The median disease duration was 12 weeks (range, 4 weeks to 12 years). The repairing method depended on the defect size, injury site, and tissue condition of the involved Achilles tendon: 9 Achilles tendons were repaired by end-to-end anastomosis, 8 by a gastrocnemius turndown flap, and 9 by auto free tendon (4 ipsilateral hamstring tendon and 5 ipsilateral 2/3 peroneus longus tendon). The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hind foot score, heel lifting of the affected leg, active ankle range of motion (plantar flexion and dorsiflexion), maximum calf circumference, and complications were applied to assess the effectiveness.

Hypersensitivity occurred in 1 incision, and stage I healing was obtained in the other incisions. No complication of re-rupture, infection, nerve injury, or deep venous thrombosis occurred. All the patients were followed up 8-85 months (mean, 34 months). The AOFAS ankle-hind foot score was significantly improved to 95.81±5.34 at last follow-up from preoperative 50.54±5.52 ( t=-34.844, P=0.000); the excellent and good rate was 100% (excellent in 21 cases and good in 4 cases). The active dorsiflexion of the operated side [(13.9±2.4)°] was significantly lower than that of normal side [(16.7±2.0)°] ( t=-9.099, P=0.000), but the active plantar flexion showed no significant difference between affected side [(39.8± 3.2)°] and normal side [(40.6±2.6°)] ( t=-1.917, P=0.068). The maximum calf circumference of the operated side [(379.4±18.8) mm] was significantly lower than that of normal side [(387.1±16.6) cm] ( t=-5.053, P=0.000). The other patients could finish heel lifting of the affected leg without limitation except for 1 patient. All patients returned to normal work and activity, and 12 patients returned to normal sports.

Individual surgery depending on the defect, injury site, and tissue condition of the involved Achilles tendon can repair all kinds of chronic Achilles tendon rupture with a low rate of complications.