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Do the heel-rise test and isometric strength improve after Achilles tendon repair using Dresden technique?
Carlos De la Fuente1, Hugo Henriquez2, Michael R Carmont3
1Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Universidade Federal do Pampa #97500-970, Campus Uruguaiana, Uruguaiana, Brazil; Carrera de Kinesiología, Departamento de Cs. de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile #7820244, Santiago, Chile; Clinica MEDS, Santiago #7691236, Santiago, Chile; Centro de Salud Deportiva, Clinica Santa Maria, Santiago #7520380, Santiago, Chile.
Background:
Achilles' tendon ruptures result in impaired plantar flexion strength and endurance. It is interesting to know the plantar flexion strength, the number of heel-rise repetitions, and the maximal calf circumference following Achilles' tendon ruptures repair.
Methods:
Both the injured and non-injured legs of thirty male patients with Achilles' tendon ruptures treated with the percutaneous Dresden technique were compared with the ankle function of 30 healthy participants. Rehabilitation involved partial weight-bearing for three weeks and then increased to full weight-bearing and ankle exercises.
Results:
The injured legs had weaker plantar flexion strength (1.64 ± 0.17 Nm/kg) compared with the non-injured legs (1.91 ± 0.24 Nm/kg; p = 0.002) and the healthy participants' legs (1.93 ± 0.32 Nm/kg; p < 0.001). The non-injured leg had greater ability in doing heel-rise repetitions (39.4 ± 6.1 rep.) compared with the injured legs (37.2 ± 5.7 rep.; p < 0.023) and the healthy participants' legs (31.0 ± 13.0 rep.; p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
The injured leg had not recovered full isometric strength but had improved heel-rise repetition.
