scholarly journals Performance Outcomes After Surgical Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture in the Women’s National Basketball Association

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 232596712110304
Author(s):  
Blake H. Hodgens ◽  
Joseph S. Geller ◽  
Michael G. Rizzo ◽  
Julianne Munoz ◽  
Jonathan Kaplan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Surgical Repair ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
National Basketball Association ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Women's National Basketball Association

Background: Achilles tendon ruptures are devastating in elite athletes. There are currently no studies examining the effects of Achilles tendon rupture on performance outcomes in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Hypothesis: Athletes in the WNBA who sustained an Achilles tendon rupture and underwent subsequent surgical repair will sustain declines in performance metrics when compared with their preinjury statistics and matched controls. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Seventeen WNBA players who sustained an Achilles tendon rupture from 2000 to 2019 were identified through publicly available injury reports and player profiles. Athlete information collected included age, body mass index, position, and service in the WNBA when the tear occurred. Statistics were collected for 1 season before and 2 seasons after the injury, and the player efficiency rating (PER) was calculated. Players were matched to uninjured controls by service in the WNBA, position, and performance statistics. Results: On average, players were 28 years of age at the time of Achilles tendon rupture, with a service time in the WNBA of 6.5 years. Four players never returned to play in the WNBA, while 7 players failed to play more than 1 season. Players who did return played significantly fewer minutes per game compared with preinjury in both postinjury seasons 1 and 2 (mean difference, –6.11 and –6.54 min/game, respectively; P < .01 for both) and had a significantly decreased PER in postinjury season 2 (mean difference, –2.53; P = .024). After returning to play, the injured players experienced significant decreases when compared with controls in field goals (–0.85 vs +0.20; P = .047), free throws (–1.04 vs +0.12; P < .01), steals (–0.48 vs +0.24; P = .018), and points scored (–2.89 vs +0.58; P = .014). Conclusion: WNBA players experienced significant decreases in performance metrics after Achilles tendon rupture compared with their preinjury levels and compared with uninjured controls. Overall, 23.5% of players failed to return to the WNBA, while 41.2% failed to play for more than 1 season.

scholarly journals Effect of Achilles Tendon Rupture on Player Performance and Longevity in Women’s National Basketball Association Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 232596712198998
Author(s):  
Joseph S. Tramer ◽  
Lafi S. Khalil ◽  
Patrick Buckley ◽  
Alexander Ziedas ◽  
Patricia A. Kolowich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
National Basketball Association ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Career Longevity ◽  
Women's National Basketball Association ◽  
Player Performance

Background:Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players have a greater incidence of lower extremity injury compared with male players, yet no data exist on functional outcomes after Achilles tendon rupture (ATR).Purpose:To evaluate the effect of Achilles tendon repair on game utilization, player performance, and career longevity in WNBA athletes.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:WNBA players from 1997 to 2019 with a history of ATR (n = 12) were matched 1:2 to a healthy control group. Player characteristics, game utilization, and in-game performance data were collected for each athlete, from which the player efficiency rating (PER) was calculated. Statistical analysis was performed comparing postinjury data to preinjury baseline as well as cumulative career data. Changes at each time point relative to the preinjury baseline were also compared between groups.Results:Of the 12 players with ATR, 10 (83.3%) returned to play at the WNBA level at a mean (±SD) of 12.5 ± 3.3 months. Four players participated in only 1 WNBA season after injury. There were no differences in characteristics between the 10 players who returned to play after injury and the control group. After return to play, the WNBA players demonstrated a significant decrease in game utilization compared with preinjury, playing in 6.0 ± 6.9 fewer games, starting in 12.7 ± 15.4 fewer games, and playing 10.2 ± 9.1 fewer minutes per game ( P < .05 for all). After the index date of injury, the players with Achilles repair played 2.1 ± 1.2 more years in the WNBA, while control players played 5.35 ± 3.2 years ( P < .01) Additionally, the players with Achilles repair had a significant decrease in PER in the year after injury compared with preinjury (7.1 ± 5.3 vs 11.0 ± 4.4; P = .02). The reduction in game utilization and decrease in PER in these players was maintained when compared with the matched controls ( P < .05 for both).Conclusion:The majority of WNBA players who sustained ATR were able to return to sport after their injury; however, their career longevity was shorter than that of healthy controls. There was a significant decrease in game utilization and performance in the year after return to play compared with healthy controls.

scholarly journals Systematic Review of Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Injuries and Treatment Outcomes in Women's National Basketball Association and National Basketball Association Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596712098207
Author(s):  
Sachin Allahabadi ◽  
Favian Su ◽  
Drew A. Lansdown
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
National Basketball Association ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cartilage Injuries ◽  
Women's National Basketball Association

Background: Athletes in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) are subject to high injury rates given the physical demands of the sport. Comprehensive data regarding injury patterns and rates in these athletes are limited. Purpose: To summarize available data on orthopaedic and sports medicine–related injuries through 2020 in professional female and male basketball players. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A search was conducted using PubMed and Embase through April 5, 2020, to identify injury studies regarding WNBA and NBA players. Studies were included if the injury or surgery was considered a direct consequence of game play including musculoskeletal/orthopaedic, concussion, ophthalmologic, and craniomaxillofacial injuries. Systematic reviews, screening studies, or studies without sufficient WNBA or NBA player subgroup analysis were excluded. Results: A total of 49 studies met inclusion criteria, 43 (87.8%) of which detailed musculoskeletal injuries. The lower extremity represented 63.3% of studies. A majority (59.2%) of studies were level 4 evidence. The source of data was primarily comprehensive online search (n = 33; 67.3%), followed by official databases (n = 11; 22.4%). Only 3 studies concerned WNBA athletes compared with 47 that concerned NBA athletes. The lowest return-to-play rates were cited for Achilles tendon repairs (61.0%-79.5%). Variability in return-to-play rates existed among studies even with similar seasons studied. Conclusion: The majority of literature available on orthopaedic and sports medicine–related injuries of NBA and WNBA athletes is on the lower extremity. The injuries that had the greatest effect on return to play and performance were Achilles tendon ruptures and knee cartilage injuries treated using microfracture. The reported outcomes are limited by heterogeneity and overlapping injury studies. There are limited available data on WNBA injuries specifically.

scholarly journals Operative Outcome of Side-Locking Loop Suture Technique Accompanied by Autologous Semitendinosus Tendon Grafting for Chronic Rupture of Achilles Tendon

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 247301142110035
Author(s):  
Keisuke Tsukada ◽  
Youichi Yasui ◽  
Maya Kubo ◽  
Shinya Miki ◽  
Kentaro Matsui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Scale Score ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Plantar Flexion ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Semitendinosus Tendon ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Operative Outcomes

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to clarify the operative outcomes of the side-locking loop suture (SLLS) technique accompanied by autologous semitendinosus tendon grafting for chronic Achilles tendon rupture. Methods: A chart review was conducted of consecutive patients treated with the SLLS technique at our department from 2012 to 2017. Postoperatively, a below-knee splint was applied for 2 weeks in 20 degrees of plantar flexion and then active range of motion exercise was started. Partial weightbearing exercise was allowed at 4 weeks according to patient tolerance, and full weightbearing without crutches was allowed at 8 weeks. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale score and the Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS) were used to evaluate clinical outcomes preoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results: Ten patients (6 men, 4 women) were included in the analysis. Mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale score increased significantly from 64.2 ± 5.6 points preoperatively to 95.0 ± 5.3 points at the final follow-up ( P < .001). The mean ATRS also increased significantly from 29.8 ± 4.4 points to 86.2 ± 7.7 points, respectively ( P < .001). Mean time between surgery and ability to perform 20 continuous double-leg heel raises of the operated foot was 13.5 ± 3.4 (range 10-18) weeks. One patient complained of postoperative hypoesthesia in the foot, which had spontaneously resolved by 3 months after surgery. Conclusion: The SLLS technique accompanied by autologous semitendinosus tendon grafting provided successful operative outcomes for patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture regardless of the size of the defect, and thus long-term orthotic use was not needed after surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

scholarly journals The Influence of Diabetes on Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0028
Author(s):  
Jonathan Kaplan ◽  
Jeffery Hillam ◽  
Amiethab Aiyer ◽  
Niall Smyth
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Postoperative Complications ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Power Analysis ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Surgical Repair ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
The United States ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Tendon Ruptures

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an epidemic affecting millions of individuals in the United States. Multiple studies have demonstrated an increase in complications in foot and ankle surgery in patients with DM, including wound healing complications, surgical site infections (SSI), or surgical failure. The goal of this study was to retrospectively review outcomes data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) to determine the impact of DM on operative treatment of achilles tendon ruptures. Methods: Using the NSQIP from 2006-2015, patients were identified using common procedure terminology (CPT) for Achilles tendon ruptures. Diabetic and non-diabetic cohorts were evaluated to compare demographics, comorbidities, perioperative details and 30-day outcomes. Statistical evaluation included a power analysis for the primary outcome measure of wound disruption as well as univariate analysis was performed using chi-squared or Fisher’s exact and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: A total of 2,014 patients were identified having sustained an Achilles tendon rupture. There were 1,981 patients without DM and 33 patients with DM. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications, including SSI, medical complications, and 30-day outcomes between patients with DM and non-DM patients undergoing surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. The power analysis for wound disruption showed a P=0.9 with an alpha of 0.05, sample size of n=2014, and Pearson correlation coefficient of r=0.0721 Conclusion: While DM has been shown to have an increase in complications in various foot and ankle procedures, this study demonstrates that there is no significant difference in postoperative complications and 30-day outcomes between patients with DM and non-DM patients undergoing surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures using the NSQIP database from 2006-2015. Based on this data, patients with diabetes mellitus can be considered adequate surgical candidates for acute Achilles tendon rupture repair.

Strength Measurement After Achilles Tendon Repair

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik C. Bäcker ◽  
Adrian J. Yenchak ◽  
David P. Trofa ◽  
J. Turner Vosseller
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Functional Performance ◽  
Outcome Measurement ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Strength Measurement ◽  
Optimal Method ◽  
Strength Assessment

The goal of treatment after Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is to restore appropriate tension to the tendon, so that normal baseline strength and functional soft-tissue length can be achieved. The assessment of plantarflexion strength has shown widespread variability. The purpose of this study is to document variations in strength assessment after the treatment of ATR in the literature. A comprehensive literature review was performed. In total, 2758 articles were found on Achilles tendon rupture and Achilles tendon strength measurement. The full text of articles including strength as a functional outcome measurement in the abstract were assessed. All objective strength measurements performed were reviewed and recorded for comparison. One-hundred articles were included in our study. In 78 articles, a dynamometer was used to measure strength, whereas in 22 articles, an endurance test (n=14) or formal gait assessment (n=8) was applied. When a dynamometer was used, there was wide variability in the various methods used including the incorporation of both isokinetic (n = 65) and isometric (n = 29) exercises utilizing varying degrees of knee flexion and patient testing position. Furthermore, the number of measurements at certain angular velocities varied. This study illustrates that no general consensus exists regarding an optimal method for measuring strength after ATR. The variability creates difficulty and challenges medical professionals’ ability to formulate consistent conclusions when determining functional performance outcomes. A more uniform way of measuring strength after ATR may allow for better comparisons between studies in the literature, potentially leading to a better understanding of strength. Levels of Evidence: Therapeutic, Level II

scholarly journals Deep venous thrombosis after Achilles tendon rupture is associated with poor patient-reported outcome

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 3309-3317
Author(s):  
Simon Svedman ◽  
Gunnar Edman ◽  
Paul W. Ackermann
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Deep Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Patient Reported Outcome ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate whether patient subjective and functional outcomes after Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) are related to deep venous thrombosis (DVT) during leg immobilization. Methods A cohort study with prospectively collected randomized data was conducted between 2010 and 2017. Two-hundred and fifty-one Patients with an Achilles tendon rupture (mean age = 41 ± 8), treated with uniform surgical techniques, were retrospectively analyzed. DVT incidence at 2 and 6 weeks was assessed using compression duplex ultrasound. At 12 months patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), Foot- and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), Physical Activity Scale (PAS) and functional outcome with the calf-muscle endurance test. ANOVA analyses were used and adjusted for assumed confounding factors (patient age, sex, BMI and rehabilitation). Results The total DVT incidence was 122 out of 251 (49%). Patients suffering a DVT exhibited significantly lower ATRS at 1 year compared to patients without DVT (mean 76 vs 83, 95% CI 71–79 vs 80–87; p < 0.01). Sixty-seven percent (95% CI 57–77%) of the patients devoid of DVT reported a good outcome (ATRS > 80) compared to 51% (95% CI 41–61%) of the patients sustaining a DVT (p < 0.05). Quality of life displayed significantly better outcome in the non-DVT versus DVT patients (mean = 75 (95% CI 71–79) vs. mean = 68 (95% CI 64–72); p < 0.05). A significant difference in total concentric work was observed between non-DVT and DVT patients (median = 1.9 kJ (IQR = 0.9 kJ) vs. median = 1.6 kJ (IQR = 1.0 kJ); p < 0.01). Conclusion Sustaining a DVT during leg immobilization significantly impairs patient-reported outcome at 1 year after surgical repair of ATR. Level of evidence III.

scholarly journals Comparison of Gastrocnemius Turn Flap and Hamstring Graft for the Treatment of Kuwada Type 3 Chronic Ruptures of the Achilles Tendon: A Retrospective Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596711988767
Author(s):  
Lu Bai ◽  
Siyao Guan ◽  
Tian You ◽  
Wentao Zhang ◽  
Peng Chen
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Study ◽  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Hamstring Graft ◽  
Early Recovery ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Type 3

Background: Chronic Achilles tendon rupture is challenging to repair, and many procedures have been suggested to fill the gap that separates the distal and proximal ends of the ruptured tendon. Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes between the free hamstring graft (HG) and gastrocnemius turn flap (GTF) procedures in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This retrospective study included 26 patients (25 males, 1 female; mean age, 36.7 years; range, 22-53 years) with Kuwada type 3 chronic rupture of the Achilles tendon. A total of 11 patients underwent GTF surgery, whereas 15 patients underwent HG surgery. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Results: The complication rate was significantly higher in the GTF group compared with the HG group (27.2% vs 6.6%, respectively; χ2 = 12.462; P = .001). At the 3-month follow-up, the degree of ankle dorsiflexion was significantly higher in the HG group than in the GTF group ( t = 3.144; P = .004). At 6-month and 1-year follow-up, no significant differences in ankle function were seen between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Hamstring tendon graft is associated with better early recovery of dorsiflexion compared with GTF. The long-term clinical outcomes of these 2 procedures are similar.

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