Abstract
Percutaneous repair of the ruptured tendo Achillis has a low rate of failure and negligible complications with the wound, but the sural nerve may be damaged.
We reviewed 96 patients who had an acute percutaneous repair done by a single surgeon at district general hospital between January 1998 to April 2004. The mean follow up was 27 months. The repair is carried out using six stab incisions over the posterolateral aspect of the tendon. The procedure can be carried out under local anaesthesia. All patients were put in a below knee cast after the operation. Cast was changed at 4 weeks keeping the foot in plantigrade position. The mean period of immobilization was 8 weeks.
They returned to work at 12 weeks and to sport at 16. One developed a minor wound infection and another complex regional pain syndrome type II. There were 2 injuries to the sural nerve. There were no late reruptures. This technique is simple to undertake and has a low rate of complications. We present one of the largest series reported in literature.
Theses abstracts were prepared by Professor Roger Lemaire. Correspondence should be addressed to EFORT Central Office, Freihofstrasse 22, CH-8700 Küsnacht, Switzerland.
