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Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 104-B, Issue SUPP_11 | Pages 36 - 36
1 Nov 2022
Patil V Rajan P Bartlett J Symons S
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Abstract. Aims. Growth disturbances after transphyseal paediatric ACL reconstruction have led to the development of physeal-sparing techniques. However, evidence in their favour remains weak. This study reviews the literature to identify factors associated with growth disturbances in paediatric ACL reconstructions. Materials and Methods. Web of Science, Scopus and Pubmed were searched for case series studying paediatric ACL reconstructions. Titles, abstracts, text, results and references were examined for documentation of growth disturbances. Incidences of graft failures were also studied in these selected studies. Results. 78 studies with 2693 paediatric ACL reconstructions had 70 growth disturbances (2.6%). Of these 17 were varus, 26 valgus, 13 shortening, 14 lengthening and 5 patients had reduced tibial slope. Coronal plane deformities were seen more frequently with eccentric physeal arrest and lengthening with intraepiphyseal tunnelling. Shortening and reduced tibial slope were related to large central physeal arrest and anterior tibial physeal arrest respectively. Extraphyseal technique were least likely to have growth disturbances. 62 studies documented 166 graft failures in 2120 patients (7.83%). Conclusion. Growth disturbances resulting from transphyseal ACL reconstruction can be minimised by keeping drill size small, drilling steep and away from the physeal periphery. Insertion of bone plug, hardware or synthetic material through the drilled physis should be avoided. The evidence to accurately quantify such growth disturbances till skeletal maturity remains weak. Robust long term studies such as national ligament registries may standardise preoperative and postoperative outcome assessment to further characterise the risk of growth disturbance and re-ruptures


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 98-B, Issue SUPP_2 | Pages 152 - 152
1 Jan 2016
Liu B Lodge C Budgen A
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Background. Operative fixation of acute tendo-achilles ruptures remains controversial. Standard surgical exposure is associated with and increased risk of wound breakdown and infections. The mini-open technique was developed to minimise these risks and provide anatomical reduction/apposition of the tendon rupture. Methods. We present a retrospective case series of 27 patients who were treated operatively for acute Achilles tendon rupture in the hands of 1 surgeon, between 4–6 years post operatively, using Achillon instrumentation. Post operatively they were treated with an air cast boot and 3 wedges, bringing the foot into neutral by 6 weeks followed by a rehabilitation programme. The patients were contacted via telephone and consent was obtained. The complications, Leppilahti score and ATRS score were then calculated. Results. 2 patients underwent a further operation (one for a retained suture and another for a re-rupture in an uncompliant patient), in total there were 2 re-ruptures (another patient sustained a partial rupture which was treated conservatively). There were no patients who sustained a wound problem or infection (other than the patient already mentioned). There were 3 patients who complained of ongoing altered sensation in the sural nerve distribution, and 4 who had paraesthesia post operativeley that completely resolved within 3 months. There were no DVT/PE reported and the average Leppilahti score was 85.7/100 (excellent outcome) and ATRS 93.3/100 (excellent outcome). Conclusion. This study shows that the mini-open technique can be used successfully to treat acute tendo-Achilles ruptures with excellent long term outcome


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_14 | Pages 10 - 10
1 Mar 2013
Saragas N Ferrao P
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Background. This retrospective analysis was prompted by the authors' observation of the relatively high incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Method. 88 patients were treated surgically for an acute Achilles tendon rupture. No prophylactic anticoagulation was given to any patients. The incidence of VTE was then reviewed retrospectively. Results. Five patients developed symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (5.7%) and one a near-fatal pulmonary embolus (1.1%). There were no major bleeding or cardiovascular adverse events. One patient developed a thrombus of the the lesser saphenous vein (1.1%) and there was one superficial sepsis (1.1%). A temporary peroneal nerve palsy occurred in one patient (1.1%). There were two re-ruptures (2.3%). Conclusion. There is no doubt that thromboprophylaxis must be given to the high risk patient and is also recommended for major orthopaedic surgery. Limited data is available for the use of thromboprophylaxis in foot and ankle surgery. In light of the unacceptably high incidence of venous thromboembolism in this study, the authors suggest that routine venous thromboembolism prophylaxis should be considered for these patients. MULTIPLE DISCLOSURES


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 95-B, Issue SUPP_32 | Pages 2 - 2
1 Sep 2013
Al-Mouazzen L Rajakulendran K Fry-Selwood D Ahad N
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The management of acute tendo-Achilles (TA) rupture still divides orthopaedic opinion. The advent of minimally invasive endoscopic or percutaneous techniques is thought to allow faster rehabilitation. We report the outcome of 30 patients with acute TA ruptures that have undergone percutaneous repair followed by an accelerated rehabilitation programme with early weight-bearing. A single centre, prospective cohort study was undertaken. 30 patients (21 men, 9 women; mean age: (40±9 years) with an acute TA rupture were enrolled and followed-up for an average of 12.5±2.9 months. All operations were performed under local anaesthesia, using a modified percutaneous technique, within 2 weeks of injury. Following surgery, patients were immobilised in an equinus cast for only 2 weeks then allowed to weight bear through a walker boot with 3 heel wedges, which were removed sequentially over a 6-week period. A standardised physiotherapy programme was started 2 weeks post-operatively and continued until 4 months. The primary outcome measure was the TA re-rupture rate and the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) at 3 and 6 months. There were no re-ruptures in the study group. The mean 3- and 6-month ATRS was 57.75 and 86.95 respectively. This improvement was statistically significant (p<0.001). All patients were able to fully weight bear on the operated leg by the eighth week, without the walker boot. At the 6-month follow-up, the average satisfaction rate was 87±7.5%. Patients returned to their pre-rupture sports at an average of 10.4±3 months. The results of this study demonstrate that minimally invasive repair of acute TA ruptures, combined with an accelerated rehabilitation programme provides a safe and reproducible treatment option


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XLI | Pages 95 - 95
1 Sep 2012
Soo C Kwa A Mungovan S
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The Achilles tendon is the most commonly ruptured tendon in the body and yet its management remains controversial due to potential surgical complications. We believe that primary repair using LARS ligament augmentation, combined with early mobilisation will significantly reduce all these potential problems and lead to improved functional outcomes. Nine patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures underwent primary repair using augmentation with a Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction System (LARS) ligament. Day one postoperatively each patient was started on active range of motion exercises. Clinical parameters, isokinetic strength and outcome measurements (The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score and Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) was utilised to assess pain and function, Tegner score to evaluate activity) were evaluated at an average follow-up of 17 months. Complications, if any, were also recorded. There were no re-ruptures and all patients returned to normal work (average time 9.2 weeks) and all but one returned to their previous level of recreational sporting activity (average time 20.8 weeks). The postoperative performance testing showed positive results with the mean decrease in calf circumference of affected leg was 1.0 cm (range, −0.5 to 2.0), and every patient was able to perform at least one heel-raise with the mean heel raise difference being −3.8 repetitions (range, −1 to −10 reps) when compared to the other leg. In terms of functional outcomes, all patients reported very good results. The mean AOFAS score postoperatively was 83.4% (range, 74% to 100%) and the mean LEFS score was 82.5% (range, 45 to 100%). The mean preoperative Tegner score was 4.75 (range, 2 to 8) and the postoperative score was 3.75 (range, 2 to 7). The results of our preliminary clinical series indicate that LARS ligament repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures provides a reliable and effective technique for repair. It eliminates the need for graft harvesting, it decreases postoperative complications, but most importantly, patients have improved functional outcomes


Orthopaedic Proceedings
Vol. 94-B, Issue SUPP_XLI | Pages 96 - 96
1 Sep 2012
van Dijck S Young S Patel A Zhu M Bevan W Tomlinson M
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Acute achilles tendon ruptures are increasing in incidence and occur in 18 per 100 000 people per year, however there remains a lack of consensus on the best treatment of acute ruptures. Randomised studies comparing operative versus non-operative treatment show operative treatment to have a significantly lower re-rupture rate, but these studies have generally used non-weight bearing casts in the non-operative group. Recent series utilizing more aggressive non-operative protocols with early weight-bearing have noted a far lower incidence of re-rupture, with rates approaching those of operative management. Weight bearing casts may also have the advantages of convenience and an earlier return to work, and the purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of traditional casts versus Bohler-iron equipped weight-bearing casts in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. 83 patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures were recruited from three Auckland centres over a 2 year period. Patients were randomised within one week of injury to receive either a weight-bearing cast with a Bohler iron or a traditional non weight-bearing cast. A set treatment protocol was used, with a total cast time of eight weeks. Patients underwent detailed muscle dynamometry testing at 6 months, with further follow up at 1 year and at study completion. Primary outcomes assessed were patient satisfaction, time to return to work, and overall re-rupture rates. Secondary outcomes included return to sports, ankle pain and stiffness, footwear restrictions, and patient satisfaction. There were no significant differences in patient demographics or activity levels prior to treatment. At follow up, 1 patient (2%) in the Bohler iron group and 2 patients (5%) in the non weight bearing group sustained re-ruptures (p=0.62). There was a trend toward an earlier return to work in the weight-bearing group, with 58% versus 43% returning to work within 4 weeks, but the difference was not significant. 63% of patients in the weight bearing group reported freedom from pain at 12 months compared to 51 % in the non weight bearing group. There were no statistically significant differences in Leppilahti scores, patient satisfaction, or return to sports between groups. Weight-bearing casts in the non-operative treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures appear to offer outcomes that are at least equivalent to outcomes of non-weight bearing casts. The overall rerupture rate in this study is low, supporting the continued use of initial non-operative management in the treatment of acute ruptures