The Addition of a Krackow Rip Stop Suture Augment After Achilles Tendon Debridement for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy: A Biomechanical Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 193864002110336
Author(s):  
LT Thomas J. Kelsey ◽  
LT Kyle W. Mombell ◽  
CDR Todd A. Fellars

Background In the operative treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy, the Achilles tendon is often released from its insertion to allow for adequate debridement of pathologic tissue. The use of a double row suture anchor construct has become increasingly favorable among surgeons after Achilles tendon debridement. This study hypothesized that the addition of a Krackow rip stop suture augment to the double row suture anchor construct would increase the repair’s maximum load to failure. A biomechanically stronger repair would potentially decrease the risk of catastrophic failure with early weight-bearing or accidental forced dorsiflexion after operative management for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Methods Fourteen cadaveric specimens were used to compare the 2 repair techniques. Achilles tendons were debrided and repaired using either a double row suture anchor with and without the additional Krackow rip stop suture augment. The 2 repair techniques were compared using an axial-torsion testing system to measure average load to failure. Results The average load to failure for the double row suture anchor repair alone was 152.00 N. The average load to failure for the tendons with the double row suture anchor with the Krackow rip stop augment was 383.08 N. An independent-samples Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted and the suture anchor plus Krackow augment group had a significantly higher load to failure ( P = .011, Mann-Whitney U = 5.00, n1 = n2 = 7, P < .05, 2-tailed). Conclusion This study confirmed that the addition of a Krakow rip stop augment to the double row suture anchor is able to increase the maximum load to failure when compared to the double row suture anchor alone. These results suggest the potential of this added technique to decrease the risk of catastrophic failure.

2020 ◽  
pp. 107110072095902
Author(s):  
Eric Lakey ◽  
Pam Kumparatana ◽  
Daniel K. Moon ◽  
Joseph Morales ◽  
Sophia Elizabeth Anderson ◽  
...  

Background: Two common operative fixation techniques for insertional Achilles tendinopathy are the use of all-soft suture anchors vs synthetic anchors with a suture bridge. Despite increasing emphasis on early postoperative mobilization, the biomechanical profile of these repairs is not currently known. We hypothesized that the biomechanical profiles of single-row all-soft suture anchor repairs would differ when compared to double-row suture bridge repairs. Methods: Achilles tendons were detached from their calcaneal insertions on 6 matched-pair, fresh-frozen cadaver through-knee amputation specimens. Group 1 underwent a single-row repair with all-soft suture anchors. Group 2 was repaired with a double-row bridging suture bridge construct. Achilles-calcaneal displacement was tracked while specimens were cyclically loaded from 10 to 100 N for 2000 cycles and then loaded to failure. Linear mixed models were used to analyze the independent effects of age, body mass index, tendon morphology, repair construct, and footprint size on clinical and ultimate failure loads, Achilles-calcaneal displacement, and mode of failure. Results: The suture bridge group was independently associated with an approximately 50-N increase in the load to clinical failure (defined as more than 5 mm tendon displacement). There was no difference in ultimate load to failure or tendon/anchor displacement between the 2 groups. Conclusion: This cadaveric study found that a double-row synthetic bridge construct had less displacement during cyclic loading but was not able to carry more load before clinical failure when compared to a single-row suture anchor construct for the operative repair of insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Clinical Relevance: Our data suggest that double-row suture bridge constructs increase the load to clinical failure for operative repairs of insertional Achilles tendinopathy. It must be noted that these loads are well below what occurs during gait and the repair must be protected postoperatively without early mobilization. This study also identified several clinical factors that may help predict repair strength and inform further research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ze Zhuang ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Kishor Chhantyal ◽  
Jianning Chen ◽  
Guohui Yuan ◽  
...  

Background. To assess the clinical outcomes of central tendon-splitting approach and double row anchor suturing for the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Methods. 28 patients (28 feet) diagnosed with insertional Achilles tendinopathy were included in this study. The inclusions were symptom of hindfoot pain around the insertion of the Achilles tendon, radiographic demonstration of calcification, or degeneration of the Achilles tendon, showing no symptom improvement even after standard nonsurgical treatment for more than six months. The X-ray revealed that patients had obvious posterior superior calcaneal exostosis with the possibility of friction with the Achilles tendon or intratendinous calcification. Surgical correction by the central tendon-splitting approach and double row Achilles tendon suturing was performed. The ankles were immobilized with plaster for four weeks postoperatively. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analogue score (VAS) were assessed preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively. At final follow-up, the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) as patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) was also evaluated. Results. No complication, including postoperative wound infection and tendon rupture, was not found. All the patients resumed their daily activities with no high level of daily activities, such as jumping and jogging after 6 weeks postoperatively. 27 patients were available for follow-up for at least 2 years, while only one patient was lost to follow-up. At postoperative 2 years, the postoperative AOFAS score increased significantly, while the VAS score decreased statistically when compared with preoperative values. At final follow-up, 24 patients had complete alleviation of pain, whereas the remaining 3 patients complained of mild heel pain after walking for a long time. The MOXFQ score showed obvious relief of previous symptoms for all included cases. Conclusions. Central tendon-splitting approach and double row Achilles tendon suture provide excellent intraoperative visual field, larger tendon-bone contact area, and stronger pullout strength and, thus, facilitate early rehabilitation. It can be a safe and effective method for the treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 193864002110027
Author(s):  
Christopher P. Miller ◽  
James R. McWilliam ◽  
Max P. Michalski ◽  
Jorge Acevedo

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy can be a debilitating condition that often fails to improve with nonsurgical management such as bracing and physical therapy. Traditional surgical techniques include an open debridement of the diseased tendon and resection of calcaneal spurs. This is followed by repair of the tendon. Suture anchors are often used to secure the tendon, but recent advances in tendon fixation, including the advent of double-row repairs, has allowed better biomechanical repairs and faster rehabilitation. Additionally, minimally invasive surgery and endoscopic techniques have advanced to allow successful treatment of all aspects of the condition while minimizing wound complications and infection. The authors present a technique to treat insertional Achilles tendinopathy and calcaneal bone spurs using minimally invasive surgery techniques while also incorporating a percutaneous double-row suture anchor repair. The technique utilizes 4 portals to access 2 endoscopic working planes. The burr is inserted deep to the tendon and the calcaneoplasty is performed. Subsequently, the endoscope is inserted alongside a shaver to remove bony debris and debulk the anterior aspect of the Achilles areas of tendinopathy. Following this, the portals are used to place a double-row suture anchor repair. Levels of Evidence: Level V


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e000979
Author(s):  
Håkan Alfredson ◽  
Lorenzo Masci ◽  
Christoph Spang

ObjectivesChronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy is known to be difficult to manage. The diagnosis is not always easy because multiple different tissues can be involved. The plantaris tendon has recently been described to frequently be involved in chronic painful mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy. This study aimed to evaluate possible plantaris tendon involvement in patients with chronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy.MethodsNinety-nine consecutive patients (74 males, 25 females) with a mean age of 40 years (range 24–64) who were surgically treated for insertional Achilles tendinopathy, were included. Clinical examination, ultrasound (US)+Doppler examination, and surgical findings were used to evaluate plantaris tendon involvement.ResultsIn 48/99 patients, there were clinical symptoms of plantaris tendon involvement with pain and tenderness located medially at the Achilles tendon insertion. In all these cases, surgical findings showed a thick and wide plantaris tendon together with a richly vascularised fatty infiltration between the plantaris and Achilles tendon. US examination suspected plantaris involvement in 32/48 patients.ConclusionPlantaris tendon involvement can potentially be part of the pathology in chronic painful insertional Achilles tendinopathy and should be considered for diagnosis and treatment when there is distinct and focal medial pain and tenderness.Level of evidenceIV case series.


2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1236-1241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig A. Cummins ◽  
Richard C. Appleyard ◽  
Sabrina Strickland ◽  
Pieter-Stijn Haen ◽  
Shiyi Chen ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhe Song ◽  
Chen Wang ◽  
Na Yang ◽  
Yangjun Zhu ◽  
Kun Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to assess the biomechanical stability of a novel internal fixation system of EndoButton plate combined with suture anchor in treating acromioclavicular joint dislocation in the cadaveric specimens. In addition, it provides a new method for the clinical treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation. Methods Twelve complete shoulder joint specimens were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, and D (n = 3). Firstly, a quasi-static non-destructive circulation experiment was carried out of coracoclavicular ligament until its function failed. Four different internal fixation materials were used to reduce and fix the acromioclavicular joint. Group A was treated with 3.5 mm clavicular hook locking compression plates, Group B with 5 mm suture anchor Group C with 10 mm Endo-button plate, and Group D with a novel combination of 5 mm suture anchor and 10 mm Endo-button plate. Fluoroscopy was performed to undertake the X-ray of the restored acromioclavicular joint, to evaluate the internal fixation position and acromioclavicular joint reduction. Finally, the shoulder joint was fixed firmly on an electronic universal testing machine (100KN) with a self-made stationary fixture, to conduct a destructive static tensile mechanical test of each specimen vertically at a 100 mm/min load speed. The stress-deformation curve was recorded using a computer connected with the universal mechanical testing machine, and the failure strength and reasons for internal fixation were also recorded. Results The average load-to-failure of the coracoclavicular ligament in groups A, B, C, and D was 373.4 ±0.57 N, 373.6 ±0.62 N, 374.4 ±0.68 N, and 373.9 ±0.15 N, respectively (P>0.05). After internal fixation failure, Group A showed two specimens with clavicular fracture, and one with acromial fracture, with an average load-to-failure of 409.8 ±2.92 N. Group B and D showed three specimens with prolapse of anchor, with average load-to-failure of 293.5 ±4.10 N and 374.2 ±0.40 N, respectively. Group C showed three specimens with basilar coracoid fracture, with average load-to-failure of 373.2 ±2.35 N. Statistical differences existed in the biomechanical load of internal fixation failure among the four groups. Group D was statistically different from Group A and Group B, but not Group C. Conclusion The newly designed EndoButton plate combined with suture anchor for coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction was found to boast simple operation and has high feasibility. Thus it was found effective in the reduction of acromioclavicular joint and treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation and fitted the biomechanical characteristics of the acromioclavicular joint.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 6631
Author(s):  
Takuma Miyamoto ◽  
Yasushi Shinohara ◽  
Tomohiro Matsui ◽  
Hiroaki Kurokawa ◽  
Akira Taniguchi ◽  
...  

Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is caused by traction force of the tendon. The effectiveness of the suture bridge technique in correcting it is unknown. We examined the moment arm in patients with IAT before and after surgery using the suture bridge technique, in comparison to that of healthy individuals. We hypothesized that the suture bridge method influences the moment arm length. An IAT group comprising 10 feet belonging to 8 patients requiring surgical treatment for IAT were followed up postoperatively and compared with a control group comprising 15 feet of 15 healthy individuals with no ankle complaints or history of trauma or surgery. The ratio of the moment arm (MA) length/foot length was found to be statistically significant between the control group, the IAT group preoperatively and the IAT group postoperatively (p < 0.01). Despite no significant difference in the force between the control and preoperative IAT groups, a significantly higher force to the Achilles tendon was observed in the IAT group postoperatively compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates that a long moment arm may be one of the causes of IAT, and the suture bridge technique may reduce the Achilles tendon moment arm.


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