Although absorbable sutures for the repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) have been attracting attention, the rationale for their use remains insufficient. This study prospectively compared the outcomes of absorbable and nonabsorbable sutures for the repair of acute ATR. A total of 40 patients were randomly assigned to either braided absorbable polyglactin suture or braided nonabsorbable polyethylene terephthalate suture groups. ATR was then repaired using the Krackow suture method. At three and six months after surgery, the isokinetic muscle strength of ankle plantar flexion was measured using a computer-based Cybex dynamometer. At six and 12 months after surgery, patient-reported outcomes were measured using the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), visual analogue scale for pain (VAS pain), and EuroQoL five-dimension health questionnaire (EQ-5D).Aims
Methods
We hypothesized that there is no difference in the clinical and radiological outcomes using local bone graft We prospectively studied 28 calcaneal malunion patients (the study group) who were managed by subtalar distraction arthrodesis using local calcaneal bone graft. The study group included 16 male and 12 female patients. The median age was 37.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) 29 to 43). The outcome of the study group was compared with a control group of ten patients previously managed by subtalar distraction arthrodesis using iliac bone graft. The control group included six male and four female patients. The median age was 41.5 years (IQR 36 to 44).Aims
Patients and Methods
Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer is a well-recognized
technique in the treatment of the neglected tendo Achillis (TA)
rupture. We report a retrospective review of 20/32 patients who had undergone
transtendinous FHL transfer between 2003 and 2011 for chronic TA
rupture. Their mean age at the time of surgery was 53 years (22
to 83). The mean time from rupture to surgery was seven months (1
to 36). The mean postoperative follow-up was 73 months (29 to 120).
Six patients experienced postoperative wound complications.Aims
Patients and Methods
We have evaluated the clinical effectiveness
of a metal resurfacing inlay implant for osteochondral defects of
the medial talar dome after failed previous surgical treatment.
We prospectively studied 20 consecutive patients with a mean age
of 38 years (20 to 60), for a mean of three years (2 to 5) post-surgery.
There was statistically significant reduction of pain in each of
four situations (i.e., rest, walking, stair climbing and running;
p ≤ 0.01). The median American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society
ankle-hindfoot score improved from 62 (interquartile range (IQR)
46 to 72) pre-operatively to 87 (IQR 75 to 95) at final follow-up
(p <
0.001). The Foot and Ankle Outcome Score improved on all
subscales (p ≤ 0.03). The mean Short-Form 36 physical component
scale improved from 36 (23 to 50) pre-operatively to 45 (29 to 55)
at final follow-up (p = 0.001); the mental component scale did not
change significantly. On radiographs, progressive degenerative changes
of the opposing tibial plafond were observed in two patients. One
patient required additional surgery for the osteochondral defect.
This study shows that a metal implant is a promising treatment for
osteochondral defects of the medial talar dome after failed previous
surgery. Cite this article:
A total of 80 patients with an acute rupture of tendo Achillis were randomised to operative repair using an open technique (39 patients) or non-operative treatment in a cast (41 patients). Patients were followed up for one year. Outcome measures included clinical complications, range of movement of the ankle, the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA), and muscle function dynamometry evaluating dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the ankle. The primary outcome measure was muscle dynamometry. Re-rupture occurred in two of 37 patients (5%) in the operative group and four of 39 (10%) in the non-operative group, which was not statistically significant (p = 0.68). There was a slightly greater range of plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle in the operative group at three months which was not statistically significant, but at four and six months the range of dorsiflexion was better in the non-operative group, although this did not reach statistically significance either. After 12 weeks the peak torque difference of plantar flexion compared with the normal side was less in the operative than the non-operative group (47% We were unable to show a convincing functional benefit from surgery for patients with an acute rupture of the tendo Achillis compared with conservative treatment in plaster.
