Achilles Tendon

Platelet-rich plasma injections did not show any clinical or functional improvement in the recovery of nonoperatively treated acute Achilles tendon ruptures, according to published results.

The Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award, for researchers younger than age 40 years who have presented outstanding research in musculoskeletal disease or injury, has been given to Alice Huang, PhD for her study on tendon development and healing.

The minimally invasive midsubstance surgical technique for acute midsubstance Achilles tendon ruptures passes sutures longitudinally through the distal Achilles stump and anchors proximal sutures into the calcaneus for early range of motion and weight-bearing.

Acute midsubstance Achilles tendon ruptures are an increasingly common injury among athletic patients that can lead to significant functional limitations and decreased quality of life. Management of these injuries remains controversial with no consensus in the literature regarding the role of surgical treatment or optimal repair technique. Recent literature has shown that surgical repair can result in faster and a 16% to 24% increased return of calf muscle strength, decreased tendon elongation and improved physical function and pain scores compared to nonoperative functional rehabilitation. Various surgical techniques have been described for midsubstance Achilles ruptures including open repair with Krackow locking sutures, limited incision repair using suture-passing jigs and percutaneous repair. The overall goal of minimally invasive Achilles repair techniques is to maximize the functional benefits of direct tendon repair while minimizing postoperative complications, such as delayed wound healing and infection.

BOSTON — There was no significant difference in tendon length 12 weeks after Achilles tendon repair in patients who underwent accelerated rehabilitation compared with traditional rehabilitation, according to a presenter at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. However, patients who underwent accelerated rehabilitation had an increased amount of lengthening at 6 weeks postoperatively.