Achilles tendonitis

Midsubstance Tendinopathy, Surgical Management

Noninsertional Achilles tendinopathy often responds to nonoperative treatment. When nonoperative treatment fails, the clinician must distinguish between paratendinopathy and noninsertional tendinopathy. In paratendinopathy, myofibroblasts synthesize collagen, causing adhesions, and the paratenon may be released or excised. If a core area of tendinopathy is identified on MRI, the area is excised longitudinally and repaired with a side-to-side suture. If greater than 50% of the tendon diameter is excised, the authors recommend a short flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer with an interference screw. A turndown flap of the gastrocnemius aponeurosis is also described with good results.

Application of Computed Tomography Processed by Picture Archiving and Communication Systems in the Diagnosis of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

The applications of CT examination in the diagnosis of the acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) were investigated. A total of 36 patients with suspected acute Achilles tendon rupture were tested using physical examination, ultrasound, and 3DCT scanning, respectively. Then, surgery was performed for the patients who showed positive result in at least two of the three tests for AATR. 3DVR, MPR, and the other CT scan image processing and diagnosis were conducted in PACS (picture archiving and communication system). PACS was also used to measure the length of distal broken ends of the Achilles tendon (AT) to tendon calcaneal insertion. Our study indicated that CT has the highest accuracy in diagnosis of acute Achilles tendon complete rupture. The length measurement is matched between PACS and those actually measured in operation. CT not only demonstrates more details directly in three dimensions especially with the rupture involved calcaneal insertion flap but also locates the rupture region for percutaneous suture by measuring the length of distal stump in PACS without the effect of the position of ankle. The accuracy of CT diagnosis for Achilles tendon partial rupture is yet to be studied.

Flexor hallux tendon transfer: comparative study through double or single approach

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the FHL length difference obtained through a single approach and by a double combined approach.

METHODS

16 fresh cadavers, a total of 32 feet, were used to measure the FHL graft length. With the cadaver positioned in ventral decubitus, a posteromedial incision in the ankle and a second incision in the plantar cavus were performed.

RESULTS

The average gain of tendon's length (GTL) was of 42.43 mm, the lowest value being 32 mm and the largest 48 mm. The comparative analysis of the GTL on the right and left sides through the paired "t" Test does not show statistical differences, with a p-value = 0.463 and a statistical power of 0.1443. The height analysis of the sample and the right and left GTL performed through linear regression do not show statistically significant differences, with a p-value of 0.38311 and 0.82640, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Harvesting the FHL graft using a double combined approach yields a 42.43 mm length gain in comparison to harvesting using the single approach.

Potential risk of rerupture in primary achilles tendon repair in athletes younger than 30 years of age

BACKGROUND

Complete Achilles tendon ruptures are found more often in athletes who participate in sports involving explosive acceleration or maximal effort. In most studies, the consensus for athletes is surgery. This form of treatment has been shown to exhibit the best functional performance with a lower rerupture rate.

HYPOTHESIS

Achilles tendon ruptures in a young population (<30 years) have a higher rerupture rate than similar injuries in an older age group (31-50 years), in which the injury is more common.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Retrospective study was carried out by chart review. Magnetic resonance images were obtained comparing appearance of repair in young and old patients at 8 to 12 weeks after operation.

RESULTS

There were a total of 4 reruptures in the 89 Achilles tendon repairs. This was an overall rerupture rate of 4.5%, which was consistent with the literature. When the reruptures were critically analyzed, it was noted that the 4 reruptures of the repaired tendon occurred in a young population. Of the 89, there was a subgroup of athletes (n=24) who were 30 years of age or younger at the time of injury. The incidence of rerupture for these individuals was 16.6%. In the remaining athletes (n=65) older than 30 years, the incidence of rerupture was zero. There were no significant differences (P < or =.05) in all parameters measured (average days in a boot, average days to active range of motion, average time to full weight-bearing, average days to bike or use a stair climbing machine, average return to sports) between age groups except in the time from injury to surgery (7.1 days, for athletes < or =30 years vs 2.65 days for athletes >31 years).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of Achilles tendon repair with an early weightbearing and an early range of motion rehabilitation program are good. However, caution may need to be taken in the younger athlete (< or =30 years) during rehabilitation.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Although the authors recommend aggressive rehabilitation for Achilles tendon repairs, caution should be observed in the younger athlete.

Sports and performing arts medicine. 3. Lower-limb injuries in endurance sports

This self-directed learning module highlights new advances in this topic area. It is part of the study guide on sports medicine and performing arts in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article uses case vignettes as a vehicle to elaborate on (1) ankle pain in a runner, (2) heel pain in an adolescent, (3) anterior knee pain in a runner, (4) lateral knee pain in a cyclist, (5) shin splints in a runner, (6) buttock pain in a hiker, and (7) collapse of a marathoner from hyponatremia.

OVERALL ARTICLE OBJECTIVE

To summarize lower-limb injuries commonly seen in endurance sports.

Iontophoresis with or without dexamethazone in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon pain

The purpose of this double-blind study was to evaluate the effects of iontophoresis with dexamethazone to iontophoresis with saline solution on patients who had acute (less than 3 months) pain from the Achilles tendon, in terms of range of motion, muscular endurance, pain and symptoms. Twenty-five patients (15 men and 10 women), aged between 18 and 76 years (mean=38), were evaluated before and after 2 weeks of treatment with iontophoresis, as well as after 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months and 1 year. Two groups were treated for 2 weeks with iontophoresis for each treatment. Three ml of dexamethazone were used for the experiment group (n=14) and 3 ml of saline solution for the control group (n=11). Both groups then followed the same rehabilitation programme for 10 weeks. Good reliability was found for the toe-raise and range of motion tests. Poor reliability was, however, found for the pain on palpation test, which was therefore excluded. No difference was found between or within groups for the toe-raise test. Several significant improvements were seen in the experiment group but not in the control group, in the range of motion test, pain during and after physical activity, pain during walking and walking up and down stairs, morning stiffness and tendon swelling. Even though the small sample size limits the possibilities to draw definite conclusions, we conclude from the present study, using a double-blind, randomised approach and a 1-year follow-up period, that positive effects from using iontophoresis with dexamethazone were found in the treatment of patients with acute Achilles tendon pain.

Overuse syndromes in adult athletes

Approximately 50% of all sports participants will be injured at some point, and at least half of these injuries will be attributed to overuse. This article provides an in-depth review of the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common overuse injuries encountered in the adult population: epicondylitis, shoulder impingement/rotator cuff tears, patello-femoral dysfunction, and Achilles tendinitis. Stress fractures, the "ultimate" overuse injuries, are also discussed.