Introduction Acute rupture of the achilles tendon often misdiagnosed as an ankle sprain may be missed in up to 25% Epidemiology incidence 18:100,000 per year demographics more common in men most common in ages 30-40 risk factors episodic athletes, "weekend warrior" flouroquinolone antibiotics steroid injections Mechanism usually traumatic injury during a sporting event may occur with sudden forced plantar flexion violent dorsiflexion in a plantar flexed foot Pathoanatomy rupture usually occurs 4-6 cm above the calcaneal insertion in hypovascular region Anatomy Achilles tendon largest tendon in body formed by the confluence of soleus muscle tendon medial and lateral gastrocnemius tendons blood supply from posterior tibial artery Presentation History patient usually reports a "pop" Symptoms weakness and difficulty walking pain in heel Physical exam inspection increased resting ankle dorsiflexion in prone position with knees bent calf atrophy may be apparent in chronic cases palpation palpable gap motion weakness to ankle plantar flexion increased passive dorsiflexion provocative test Thompson test lack of plantar flexion when calf is squeezed Imaging Radiographs indications used to rule out other pathology Ultrasound indications may be useful to determine complete vs. partial ruptures MRI indications equivocal physical exam findings chronic ruptures findings will show acute rupture with retracted tendon edges Treatment Nonoperative functional bracing/casting in resting equinus indications acute injuries with surgeon or patient preference for non-operative management sedentary patient medically frail patients outcomes equivalent plantar flexion strength compared to operative management increased risk of re-rupture compared to operative management new studies show that this may not be significant if functional rehabilitation used fewer complications compared to operative treatment Operative open end-to-end achilles tendon repair indications acute ruptures (approximately <6 weeks) outcomes decreased rate of re-rupture compared to non-operative management new Level 1 evidence has suggested no difference in re-rupture rates with functional rehab protocol no significant difference in plantar flexion strength with functional rehab protocol percutaneous Achilles tendon repair indications concerns over cosmesis of traditional scar outcomes higher risk of sural nerve damage lesser risk of wound complications/infection compared with open repair reconstruction with VY advancement indications chronic ruptures with defect < 3cm flexor hallucis longus transfer +/- VY advancement of gastrocnemius indications chronic ruptures with defect > 3cm requires a functioning tibial nerve Surgical Techniques Functional bracing/casting in resting equinus technique cast/brace in 20 degrees of plantar flexion early functional rehab for those treated without a cast End-to-end achilles tendon repair approach make incision just medial to achilles tendon to avoid sural nerve technique incise paratenon expose tendon edges repair with heavy non-absorbable suture postoperative care immobilize in 20° of plantar flexion to decrease tension on skin and protect tendon repair for 4-6 weeks Percutaneous achilles tendon repair technique Reconstruction with VY advancement technique make V cut with apex at musculotendinous junction with limbs divergent to exit the tendon V is incised through only the superficial tendinous portion leaving the muscle fibers intact Flexor hallucis longus transfer ± VY advancement of gastrocnemius technique excise degenerative tendon edges release FHL tendon at the Knot of Henry and transfer through the calcaneus residual hallux plantarflexion weakness Complications Re-rupture incidence higher with non-operative management (~10-40% vs 2%) new Level 1 evidence has shown no difference in re-rupture rates treatment surgical repair Wound healing complications incidence 5-10% risk factors smoking (most common) female gender steroid use open technique (versus percutaneous) treatment deep infection debridement of necrotic/infected Achilles tendon culture-specific antibiotics for 6 weeks Sural nerve injury incidence higher when percutaneous approach is used
Technique Guide 10/4/2016 Technique guide are not considered high yield topics for orthopaedic standardized exams including the ABOS, EBOT and RC. Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Repair Orthobullets Team Foot & Ankle - Achilles Tendon Rupture
QUESTIONS 1 of 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Previous Next (OBQ07.54) A 38-year-old patient has an acute Achilles tendon rupture. He is active in sports and is deciding between operative and nonoperative treatments. Which of the following statements applies to patients undergoing conservative treatment with a cast for 6 weeks followed by a course of physical therapy? Review Topic QID: 715 1 They have lower patient satisfaction scores 4% (47/1299) 2 They are less likely to return to sport 4% (47/1299) 3 Their ultimate strength is decreased 11% (143/1299) 4 They have a higher risk for rerupture 80% (1040/1299) 5 They have a higher risk of skin problems 1% (18/1299) ML 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 4 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK (OBQ13.51) Which of the following outcomes has been reported with surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures as compared to non-operative treatment with functional rehabilitation? Review Topic QID: 4686 1 Improved ankle dorsiflexion strength at 6 month follow-up 2% (90/3856) 2 Improved ankle dorsiflexion range-of-motion at 6 month follow-up 1% (52/3856) 3 Improved mean SMFA scores at 12 months 1% (44/3856) 4 A statistically significant decrease in re-rupture rates 27% (1040/3856) 5 Increased complication rates 68% (2609/3856) ML 4 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 5 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK (OBQ06.270) Which factor increases the chance of wound complications after Achilles tendon repair? Review Topic QID: 281 1 Increased body mass index 4% (64/1433) 2 Immediate surgery 2% (26/1433) 3 Male gender 0% (5/1433) 4 Age over 40 years old 1% (14/1433) 5 Tobacco use 92% (1319/1433) ML 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 5 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK (OBQ12.36) A 36-year-old man presents with fever, pain, and wound drainage 4 months after repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture. A clinical image is shown in Figure A. Laboratory studies show an ESR of 29 (reference range 0-22 mm/hr). It is decided that he will undergo debridement and irrigation followed by culture specific antibiotic therapy. In the operating room, the Achilles tendon is found to have re-ruptured with a 5 cm defect. What is the most appropriate surgical treatment at this time? Review Topic QID: 4396 FIGURES: A 1 Primary repair of the re-ruptured Achilles tendon 1% (29/3697) 2 Debridement of necrotic and infected tendon tissue, with no attempt at reconstruction 77% (2859/3697) 3 V-Y plasty of the re-ruptured Achilles tendon 3% (111/3697) 4 Repair of the re-ruptured Achilles tendon with a turndown procedure 4% (143/3697) 5 Repair of defect with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer 14% (525/3697) ML 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 2 (OBQ10.36) A 58-year-old golfer fell stepping into a sand trap and ruptured his Achilles tendon one year ago. He initially chose non-operative treatment, but became unsatisfied with a tender fullness behind his ankle and ankle weakness noticeable during his tee shots. At the time of surgery, a large disorganized fibrous mass is found at the site of rupture. Following extensive debridement there is a 5 cm gap between viable tissue ends. Which of the following surgical techniques provides the greatest likelihood of a successful clinical outcome? Review Topic QID: 3124 1 Gastocnemius turndown repair augmented with transfer of the posterior tibial tendon 5% (114/2285) 2 Gastocnemius turndown repair augmented with transfer of the extensor digitorum longus 3% (61/2285) 3 Gastocnemius turndown repair augmented with transfer of the flexor hallucis longus 84% (1925/2285) 4 Reconstruction with hamstring autograft 7% (154/2285) 5 Primary repair with the foot in maximal plantarflexion followed by a gradual stretching program 1% (22/2285) ML 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 3 (OBQ08.269) What is the greatest advantage of surgical repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture with early range of motion compared to non-operative treatment with immobilization in a short-leg cast for 6 weeks? Review Topic QID: 655 1 Lower rate of infection 1% (13/2247) 2 Higher rate of normal skin sensation 0% (11/2247) 3 Better skin cosmesis 1% (28/2247) 4 Lower rate of dehiscence 1% (16/2247) 5 Lower rate of re-rupture 97% (2173/2247) ML 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 5 (OBQ04.136) A 41-year-old female feels a pop in her ankle while playing tennis. She is diagnosed with an acute Achilles tendon rupture and elects to undergo nonoperative management. Which of the following is a difference seen with nonoperative management with early functional rehabilitation compared with operative treatment? Review Topic QID: 1241 1 decreased incidence of deep venous thrombosis 10% (106/1082) 2 no significant differences 44% (477/1082) 3 increased rate of re-rupture 18% (200/1082) 4 earlier return to sport 14% (152/1082) 5 increased complication rate 13% (138/1082) ML 4 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 2 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK
Closed Achilles tendon rupture (left foot). Positive Thompson Test Foot & Ankle - Achilles Tendon Rupture - Physical Exam Patient in prone position with feet hanging off the examination bed. Squeezing c... 7/8/2015 1896 views Ultrasound of Ruptured Achilles Tendon Foot & Ankle - Achilles Tendon Rupture - Radiology Rounds This video demonstrates the ultrasound appearance of both a normal and ruptured... 6/1/2013 988 views Minimally Invasive Repair of Achilles Tendon Foot & Ankle - Achilles Tendon Rupture - Surgical Approaches Modified percutaneous technique to repair a ruptured achilles tendon 3/3/2013 4516 views See More See Less
Acute Achilles Tendon Tear 38M (C101101) Foot & Ankle - Achilles Tendon Rupture HPI - Felt a pop when landing after a layup in basketball. Had some immediate pain and inability to push off his left ankle. Was seen in urgent care and given an ankle brace for a "sprain." Little pain at rest, but difficulty walking. After a week of not getting better, PCP orders and MRI and referred patient. What treatment options would you recommend for this patient? 8/18/2018 802 38 3 Multiple leg tendon lacerations (C1261) Foot & Ankle - Achilles Tendon Rupture HPI - s/p glass vs. leg, with multiple tendon lacerations and 15cm laceration How would you rehab this? 9/1/2012 133 1 8