[Recurrent rupture of the Achilles tendon]

Between 1976 and 1981, 76 ruptures of the Achilles tendon and 6 reruptures were operated upon at the Orthopedic University Hospital of Giessen. The reruptures occurred only in men at the age of 26 to 40, four of them were active sportsmen. In four cases, the site of the rerupture corresponded to that of the first rupture; in one case, it was situated 1 cm distal to the first rupture and in the other case, there was an osseous extraction of the Archilles tendon from the heel. The rerupture of the Archilles tendon was due to an unsufficient blood supply and a decrease of elasticity of the tendon material. In two cases, it was certainly caused by a completely inappropriate suturing material. The therapy method applied was end-to-end suture in three cases, tendon graft in one case, and inverted graft in another case: the osseous extraction was treated by screwing. In all cases, a reestablishment of function was achieved after an adequate waiting time.