Flexor hallucis longus augmentation for Achilles tendon – is pre-operative evaluation of flexor hallucis longus by MRI required?

Objectives: Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer is the method of choice in reconstructing chronic neglected Achilles tendon rupture. We performed a retrospective study to assess the incidence and degree of fatty degeneration of FHL. Material and Methods: Two hundred and twenty-five consecutive MR of ankles were reviewed retrospectively and assessed for fatty atrophy based on Goutallier classification. Results: About 42.7% had Grade 1, 8.4% had Grade 2, 3.1% had Grade 3, and 1.8% had Grade 4 fatty atrophy of FHL. Other lesions identified included posterior ankle impingement, tenosynovitis, loose bodies, and giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath. Conclusion: We suggest pre-operative radiological assessment of the FHL to establish that the FHL muscle and tendon are normal and intact and suitable for transfer surgery. We also discuss the spectrum of pathologies affecting FHL.

Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach Combined With Plantar Tendon Transfer Repairing Neglected Achilles Tendon Rupture Compared to the Conventional Approach of V-Y Tendon Plasty: A Retrospective Study With Two Years Follow-Up

Background Unlike acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR), neglected Achilles tendon rupture (NATR) requires usually tendon grafting procedures for repair tendon defects caused by removing scar tissue. The conventional open surgery of V-Y tendon plasty and minimally invasive technique with plantar tendon transfer had been described, but the long-term efficacy between the two techniques still needs further certification. Methods Between February 1, 2008, and July 31, 2018. All of 46 patients with neglected Achilles tendon rupture, 25 patients in group A (21 males and 4 females; age, 34.28 ± 6.97 years) underwent the conventional operation of V-Y tendon plasty, and 21 patients in group B (14 males and 7 females; age, 35.29 ± 7.42 years) were treated by the minimally invasive technique. Two years follow-up was performed for the functional recovery with examinations of the Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS), American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle Hind-Foot Scale Score, dorsiflexion, calf circumference, and heel raise test. Results Patient characteristics between the two groups were similar. The functional score of ATRS and AOFAS in Group B was higher than patients in group A at postoperative months 3, 6, and 12, while there is no difference at month 24. In group A, there were three patients exposed to soft tissue infections (two superficial infections and one deep infection) and one case with tendon exposure. In group B, a patient with tendon re-rupture was observed. There was no difference in dorsiflexion and calf circumference at follow-up two years and the much better recovery in heel raise test group B than A. Conclusions Two different techniques produced a significant functional improvement, and return to sports. However, this study demonstrated that the minimally invasive technique was recommended for patients with a tendon defect less than 6 cm and who have an urgent demand to return to the sports.

Neglected Achilles tendon rupture associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report and a brief review of the literature

We report a case about a 69-year-old man, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diagnosed with a neglected Achilles tendon rupture. Considering the large Achilles tendon gap and the bad quality of the autologous tendons caused by rheumatoid disease, a reconstruction using an Achilles tendon with calcaneus bone block allograft was performed, with excellent clinical and functional outcomes.

EVALUATION OF THE FUNCTIONAL OUTCOME AFTER BOSWORTH TECHNIQUE FOR NEGLECTED ACHILLES TENDON RUPTURE - A CLINICAL STUDY

Background: Most ruptures of the Achilles tendon occur at the watershed area which is about 2 to 6 cm proximal to insertion of the tendon. There are many techniques of repair like using tendon transfer, autograft or synthetic ligament. Bosworth has described a technique of sural triceps aponeurosis turndown. The study was conducted with the objective to describe the effectiveness and functional outcome after Bosworth procedure in chronic ruptures in zone II in cases where end-to-end repair can’t be done. Material and Methods: The study consisted of a total 20 patients. Positive Thompson test was elicited in all patients. Bosworth technique was used in for repair in all patients. The functional outcome was assessed at 1 month, 6-month and 1-year follow-up visits using the clinical scoring method described by Leppilahti et al. Results: All patients resumed work at 6 months postoperatively. Almost all patients had normal walking and stair climbing. The range of ankle motion showed significant improvement postoperatively. Conclusion: Bosworth repair for chronic neglected Achilles tendon ruture is still a good method for achieving better functional outcomes for ankle for ruptures of Achilles tendon in zone 2, where more than 2 cm distal stump is available.

Minimal Invasive Reconstruction of Neglected Achilles Tendon Rupture

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: Recently minimal invasive reconstruction using semitendinosus tendon autograft was shown to be safe and successful for neglected Achilles tendon ruptures. We hypothesized that allograft could also result in similar result like in the reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint. Methods: Between December 2013 and September 2015, 19 consecutive neglected Achilles tendon rupture cases underwent minimally invasive reconstruction using semitendinosus allograft tendon regardless of rupture time and gap. Out of them, 5 patients had flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer additionally. Thirteen were male, and the average age at the time of surgery was 63(30~82). MRI was checked to confirm the diagnosis in all cases. The Achilles tendon total rupture score(ATRS) was measured for clinical outcome at both pre and post surgery. Thompson squeezing test, knee flexion test, and single-heel-rise test were recorded. Isokinetic strength of plantar flexion by peak torque with plantar flexion at speeds of 30 and 120°/sec was measured to check triceps muscle power after surgery. Results: The mean follow-up period was 13.6(6~26) months. The ATRS was improved from 34(7~72) to 70(48~97) after the surgery(p<0.0001). At the latest visit, all patients showed negative Thompson squeezing test, and in knee flexion test 16 patients showed normal ankle plantar flexion. Thirteen patients could raise their affected heel at the time. In the affected leg at speeds of 30 and 120°/sec, the isokinetic strength was 14.9(6.0~31.9) and 10.0 Nm (2.8~ 19.0) Nm preoperatively, and 37.3(12.1~90) and 19.6(7.8~47) Nm at the latest follow-up. (P=0.012, 0.017) There was no wound problem, rerupture or other complications related to the surgery. Conclusion: Minimally invasive reconstruction using semitendinosus allograft tendon seems to safe and effective for the treatment of neglected Achilles tendon without sacrificing other healthy tissues. We think that this technique can provide a significant improvement of symptoms and function with fewer complications.

Surgical Treatment of the Neglected Achilles Tendon Rupture with Hyalonect

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to report the management and outcomes of ten patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture treated with a turndown gastrocnemius-soleus fascial flap wrapped with a surgical mesh (Hyalonect).MethodsTen men with neglected Achilles tendon rupture were treated with a centrally based turndown gastrocnemius fascial flap wrapped with Hyalonect. Hyalonect is a knitted mesh composed of HYAFF, a benzyl ester of hyaluronic acid. The Achilles tendon ruptures were diagnosed more than 1 month after injury. The mean patient age was 41 years. All of the patients had weakness of active plantarflexion. The mean preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 64.8.ResultsThe functional outcome was excellent. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score was 97.8 at the latest follow-up. There were significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative scores. Ankle range of motion was similar in both ankles. Neither rerupture nor major complication, particularly of wound healing, was observed.ConclusionsFor patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture with a rupture gap of at least 5 cm, surgical repair using a single turndown fascial flap covered with Hyalonect achieved excellent outcomes.