Abstract
A patient case is provided that required debridement for a postoperative infection, following Achilles tendon rupture surgery, without tendon defect reconstruction. The tendon repair process in the defect was serially evaluated using sonography. Healing began in a doughnut-shaped pattern from the margins, where the paratenon-derived cells remained, and tendon continuity was restored, 4 weeks after debridement. At this point, the cast was switched to an Achilles tendon boot and full weight-bearing was allowed. The repair then progressed toward the center, and the tendon tissue completely replaced the defect at 16 weeks, which allowed the patient to gradually return to daily and sports activities, while wearing regular shoes. A longitudinal sonographic evaluation clarified the repair mechanism after debridement for postoperative Achilles tendon infection, with a large defect. It was also valuable for determining a safe postoperative treatment regimen.
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