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What is the effect of the early weight-bearing mobilisation without using any support after endoscopy-assisted Achilles tendon repair?

  • Ankle
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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of immediate weight-bearing mobilisation with intensive rehabilitation on muscle strength and lower extremity functional level after endoscopy-assisted Achilles tendon repairs.

Methods

After warming up for 5 min at a self-selected intensity on a stationary bike 32 male patients were tested for bilateral peak concentric isokinetic ankle dorsi- and plantar-flexor torque, passive range of motion for ankle joint, one-leg hop for distance, single-leg vertical jump height, Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score, and perceived function using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). A series of paired sample t tests were used to compare side-to-side differences (p < 0.05).

Results

There were no significant differences in hop and jump tests, dorsi- and plantar-flexor isokinetic muscle strength, and dorsi- and plantar-flexion range of motion between the affected and unaffected side of the patients. Pain score of FAOS was 95 ± 8, other symptoms score was 92 ± 11, function in daily living score was 95 ± 6, function in sport and recreation was 85 ± 16, and Quality of Life score was 85 ± 12. The mean of the Achilles Tendon Rupture Score was 86.

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in both ankle muscle strength and lower extremity functional level between the endoscopy-assisted repairs and the unaffected sides. The early tolerated weight-bearing mobilisation without cast-brace and/or special shoe at the first day after the surgery may easily provide to return the daily living activities. It improves muscle strength, functional level, and range of motion. Further comprehensive and prospective studies on large patients should be warranted to analyse and compare the clinical and functional results in patients with endoscopy-assisted Achilles tendon repair.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Defne Kaya, Gazi Huri, Egemen Turhan, Gurhan Donmez.

Conflict of interest

The author has no conflicts of interest with respect to the data collected and procedures used within this study.

Ethical statement

The author confirms this study meets the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and after local ethical approval all subjects provided written informed consent. Ethical approval for the study was received from Hacettepe University in Turkey. Number is HEK 11/26–6.

Funding

Author declares that they have no sponsor in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in writing of the manuscript; and in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

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Correspondence to Mahmut Nedim Doral.

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Doral, M.N. What is the effect of the early weight-bearing mobilisation without using any support after endoscopy-assisted Achilles tendon repair?. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 21, 1378–1384 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2222-0

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