Percutaneous suturing of the ruptured Achilles tendon under local anesthesia

J Foot Ankle Surg. 2004 Mar-Apr;43(2):72-81. doi: 10.1053/j.jfas.2004.01.008.

Abstract

A prospective study of modified percutaneous Achilles tendon repair performed from 1991 to 1997 under local anesthesia with a minimum 2-year follow-up is presented. There were 134 procedures in 124 men and 8 women (mean age, 37 years) treated within 7 days after acute total rupture. Postoperative care consisted of wearing a cast or soft-cast immobilization for 6 weeks. The procedure was well tolerated in all patients. There was 1 (0.7%) complete and 4 (3%) partial reruptures. Six patients (4.5%) developed transient sural neuritis that spontaneously resolved in 3 to 10 months. One case of deep venous thrombosis was successfully treated. There were no cases of increased postoperative dorsiflexion, deep infection, or necrosis. Eighteen patients (14%) had a slightly decreased range of ankle motion; 129 (98%) patients, including all high-caliber athletes, resumed all their previous activities, 22 of them (17%) with some minor complaints. The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society's ankle-hindfoot score was 96 points. The proposed method offers a reasonable treatment option for acute total Achilles tendon ruptures, with a low number of complications and a low risk of sural nerve injury. The rerupture rate and return to preinjury activities is comparable to open procedures.

MeSH terms

  • Achilles Tendon / injuries*
  • Achilles Tendon / surgery*
  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anesthesia, Local*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prospective Studies
  • Rupture
  • Suture Techniques*
  • Tendon Injuries / surgery