Delayed (14-30 Days) Percutaneous Repair of Achilles Tendon Ruptures Offers Equally Good Results As Compared With Acute Repair

Abstract

Background:

Minimally invasive repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures has been performed for several years, resulting in reduced morbidity as compared with open repair.

Hypothesis:

A minimally invasive technique can be used to manage Achilles tendon ruptures in patients presenting between 14 and 30 days from injury.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We prospectively recruited 21 consecutive patients who presented between 14 and 30 days after the index injury, and we compared them with 21 patients who were matched according to sex, age (±2 years), and level of activity, who presented within 14 days of the index injury. All patients underwent the same minimally invasive procedure under local anesthesia: a core suture repair consisting of a modified Bunnell suture in the proximal stump and a modified Kessler suture in the distal stump.

Results:

At 12 months after minimally invasive repair, patients with delayed treatment had a median Achilles tendon rupture score of 91 (SD, 2.4; range, 87-96) as compared with 91 (SD, 2.2; range, 86-96) in patients treated acutely, who presented at a median 2.4 days (range 1-6 days) from the injury. There were no significant differences between groups in terms of mean (SD) Achilles tendon resting angle: delayed repair group, −3.9° (2.0); acute repair group, −3.7° (1.9) (P = .69). No patient in either group developed a wound infection. One patient in the acute group experienced an iatrogenic sural nerve injury.

Conclusion:

Patients with Achilles tendon rupture treated by percutaneous repair 14 to 30 days after injury achieved similar results at 1 year as patient treated <14 after injury.