[Surgical treatment of calcifying insertional Achilles tendinopathy via a lateral approach]

Reduction of pain and swelling over the Achilles tendon insertion while maintaining function.

Strong, intolerable pain over the Achilles tendon insertion with chronic, calcifying insertional tendinopathy that does not respond to non-operative treatment over a minimum of 6 months.

Chronic wounds or severe circulatory deficits at the foot or ankle, irradiating or projected pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

The intratendinous heel spur is resected via a lateral approach. The superior surface of the calcaneal tuberosity is trimmed by resection of the dorsal heel spur with the oscillating saw. A second osteotomy at the medial edge of the tuberosity extends to the insertion of the plantaris tendon. With the third osteotomy, the Haglund deformity is resected. At the resulting area with cancellous bone, the Achilles tendon is reinserted with a suture anchor.

A ventral plastic splint in 20° plantar flexion is worn for a week. Full weight-bearing is allowed in a walking boot with 4 cm heel lift for 6 weeks. The heel lift is then gradually reduced for another 2 weeks. After 8 weeks only an elastic wedge of 1 cm is worn. Physical therapy (isometric exercises) starts in the boot and is intensified after removal of the boot.

Seven of 12 patients treated with that technique for calcifying insertional Achilles tendinopathy (58%) stated being pain free according to the Likert scale, while the remaining 5 patients (42%) reported a "substantial improvement". The VISA‑A score averaged 84 of 100 points. Postoperative complications have not been observed.