scholarly journals Are Patients Presenting with an Achilles Tendon Rupture at Greater Risk of Rupturing Their Contralateral Tendon? A Retrospective Cohort Study with Minimum 2 Years Follow-up

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0009
Author(s):  
Joaquin Palma ◽  
Andres Villa ◽  
Alejandro Freundlich ◽  
Jose Dominguez Martinez ◽  
Felipe Fuentealba Secul ◽  
...  

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: Study Design: Case-control Objective: To determine whether patients presenting with an Achilles tendon rupture are at greater risk of rupturing their contralateral tendon when compared to general population. Summary of Background Data: Extrinsic risk factors for Achilles tendon rupture, such as fluoroquinolones or local injections with corticosteroids, are well recognized. Genetic predisposition is another factor that has been proposed, since this pathology is more frequently seen in certain populations. Thus, it can be theorized that patients who have presented an Achilles tendon rupture are at higher risk of rupturing their contralateral tendon compared to general population. Previous reports by Arøen et al suggest than 10 out of 154 patients presented a contralateral injury (OR:176). Methods: Data from patients operated on from an acute Achilles tendon rupture were retrospectively retrieved from two academic centers. Patients were included if they had at least 2 years since their surgery and were willing to participate in the study. Each patient answered a telephone questionnaire regarding prior symptoms, contralateral rupture and risk factors (flouroquinolones, local corticosteroids and tobacco). Patients were excluded if they did not answer all questions or were unable to be contacted. Since data in our population is lacking, we used the overall incidence of Achilles tendon rupture published by Sheth et al. as the expected rate of Achilles tendon rupture in the general population. This value was compared to our cohort’s contralateral injury incidence to obtain an effect measure (odds ratio). Results: 246 consecutive Achilles tendon ruptures were treated during a 6-year follow-up period (2008-2016). 25 patients (8.5%) ruptured their contralateral tendon, equivalent to an incidence of 1407 ruptures per 100.000 inhabitants per year. Reported incidence of Achilles tendon rupture in the general population is 29 per 100.000 inhabitants per year. Odds ratio compared to the general population was 49.2 (95% CI: 34.1 – 73.7) (p <0.0001). Median time to contralateral rupture was 21.6 months (12 – 55) after the initial injury. There were no significant differences regarding age, sex, presence of external risk factors or prior symptoms in the group with a contralateral rupture. 81 patients (33%) experienced tendon pain of at least two weeks duration in relation to their initial rupture. Conclusion: Conclusion: Patients who sustain an Achilles tendon rupture are at higher risk (OR 49.2) of rupturing their contralateral tendon when compared to the general population. In our group, median time for the contralateral injury was 21.6 months. Discussion: Preventive strategies should be directed and conducted in this high risk population. Orthopedic surgeons should consider this information when counseling patients who sustained an Achilles tendon rupture.

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (13) ◽  
pp. 3229-3237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Hornbæk Pedersen ◽  
Liv Riisager Wahlsten ◽  
Henrik Grønborg ◽  
Gunnar Hilmar Gislason ◽  
Michael Mørk Petersen ◽  
...  

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a well-known complication of Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) and carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Although routine thromboprophylaxis for patients with ATR is not recommended, sparse knowledge is available regarding risk factors associated with VTE in patients with ATR. Purpose: To use Danish nationwide registers to identify incidence rates for symptomatic VTE and risk factors associated with increased risk of developing VTE in patients with ATR. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: By crosslinking nationwide registers, we identified all patients with diagnosed ATR in Denmark from 1997 to 2015. We stratified patients into 4 groups by age and treatment modality (ie, operative vs nonoperative treatment). The main outcome was VTE within 180 days. We calculated crude incidence rates and considered age, sex, year, comorbidities, and medications as risk factors for VTE in Poisson regression models. Results: We identified 28,546 patients with ATR, of whom 389 (1.36%) were hospitalized with VTE during the follow-up period: 278 due to deep vein thromboses and 138 due to pulmonary embolism. Incidence rates were highest during the first month and ranged from 4.6 to 14.6 events per 100 person-years. VTEs were most frequent among nonoperatively treated patients aged ≥50 years. In Poisson regression analyses, having had VTE beforehand was associated with an increased risk of VTE, as was male sex in the nonoperative treatment group aged ≥50 years; among women <50 years of age, hormonal contraceptives led to a 4- to 6-fold higher risk of VTE compared with patients in the same group without the equivalent risk factor. Conclusion: In this nationwide cohort of patients with ATR, 1.36% developed symptomatic VTE during follow-up. Hormonal contraception, previous VTE, older age group, and male sex increased the risk of VTE. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that focus on risk stratification and initiatives to prevent VTE might be warranted. A randomized controlled trial could answer this question.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 247301142110035
Author(s):  
Keisuke Tsukada ◽  
Youichi Yasui ◽  
Maya Kubo ◽  
Shinya Miki ◽  
Kentaro Matsui ◽  
...  

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.


Injury ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 2342-2347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter C. Noback ◽  
Eugene S. Jang ◽  
Derly O. Cuellar ◽  
Mani Seetharaman ◽  
Emiliano Malagoli ◽  
...  

The Foot ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-206
Author(s):  
Aysegul Sarsilmaz ◽  
Makbule Varer ◽  
Gulten Coskun ◽  
Melda Apaydın ◽  
Orhan Oyar

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596712091590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristoffer Weisskirchner Barfod ◽  
Emil Graakjær Nielsen ◽  
Beth Hærsted Olsen ◽  
Pablo Gustavo Vinicoff ◽  
Anders Troelsen ◽  
...  

Background: Immobilization of the ankle joint has been suggested as a key element in the pathogenesis leading to deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Purpose: To investigate whether early controlled ankle motion (ECM) could reduce the incidence of DVT compared with immobilization (IM) in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Patients aged 18 to 70 years were eligible for inclusion, and treatment was nonoperative. The ECM group performed movements of the ankle 5 times a day from weeks 3 to 8 after rupture. The control group was immobilized for 8 weeks. The outcome measure was DVT diagnosed with color Doppler ultrasound for above- and below-knee DVT at 2 and 8 weeks. The Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score, the heel-rise work test, and the Copenhagen Achilles ultrasonographic Length Measurement were performed at 4-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Results: A total of 189 patients were assessed for eligibility from February 2014 to December 2016. Of these, 130 were randomized: 68 patients were allocated to the ECM group and 62 to the IM group. All patients participated in follow-up at 8 weeks assessing for DVT. In total, 62 (47.7%) patients were diagnosed with DVT: 33 of 68 (48.5%) in the ECM group and 28 of 61 (46.8%) in the IM group ( P = .84). DVT did not affect treatment outcomes at 4, 6, and 12 months. D-dimer had low sensitivity (71%) for detecting DVT. Conclusion: We found that 1 in 2 patients presented with DVT in nonoperative treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. The ECM protocol revealed no benefit versus IM in reducing the incidence of DVT. DVT did not influence functional and patient-reported outcomes the first year after rupture. D-dimer seems an inappropriate test for detection of DVT in patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture. Registration: NCT02015364 ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596711988767
Author(s):  
Lu Bai ◽  
Siyao Guan ◽  
Tian You ◽  
Wentao Zhang ◽  
Peng Chen

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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 679-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. J. Ruben Stavenuiter ◽  
Bart Lubberts ◽  
Robert M. Prince ◽  
A. Holly Johnson ◽  
Christopher W. DiGiovanni ◽  
...  

Background: Controversy remains regarding which patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture would best be treated nonoperatively and which might benefit from operative repair. The primary aim of this study was to characterize the overall incidence of—and specific risk factors associated with—postoperative complications that follow operative repair. We also evaluated the specific differences between complications after the use of an open or minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach. Methods: Retrospective chart review identified 615 adult patients who underwent operative repair for an acute Achilles tendon rupture between January 1, 2001, and May 1, 2016, at 3 level I trauma centers. Minimum follow-up was 3 months. Patient demographics, comorbidities, injury mechanism, procedural details, and surgeon subspecialty were collected. Assessed complications included wound healing issues, rerupture, hematoma, nerve injury, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. Results: Seventy-two patients (11.7%) developed a postoperative complication. Risk factors included advancing patient age (odds ratio [OR], 1.04, P = .007), active tobacco use (OR, 3.20, P = .007), and specific subspecialty training (OR, 2.04, P = .046). No difference in overall complication rate was found between the open and MIS approaches (11.6% vs 13.2%, P = .658). A subgroup analysis among orthopedic subspecialties demonstrated that patients treated by trauma surgeons had increased rates of wound complication ( P = .043) and rerupture ( P = .025) compared with those treated by other subspecialties. Patients treated by trauma surgeons were also more likely to be younger or have a body mass index (BMI) > 30, although neither factor was found to be independently predictive for postoperative complications. Conclusion: Approximately 1 in 9 patients undergoing operative repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture developed a postoperative complication. Advancing age and active tobacco use were independent risk factors for developing such complications. Differences in subspecialty training also appear to impact complication rates, but the potential reason for this discrepancy remains unclear. As controversy remains regarding which patients who sustain acute Achilles tendon rupture should be treated nonoperatively and which would benefit most from surgical repair, a better understanding of postoperative complication rates and associated risk factors may enhance the decision-making processes in treating these injuries. It is not clear whether MIS techniques are superior to traditional open repair in terms of postoperative complications. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 694-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksi Reito ◽  
Hanna-Liina Logren ◽  
Katri Ahonen ◽  
Heikki Nurmi ◽  
Juha Paloneva

Background: Nonoperative treatment is feasible in most patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture. Risk factors associated with failed nonoperative treatment are poorly understood. We investigated risk factors associated with rerupture after nonoperative treatment and otherwise failed nonoperative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. Methods: All patients diagnosed with acute Achilles tendon rupture between January 2009 and June 2016 and who underwent 8 weeks of nonoperative treatment with functional rehabilitation were included in the study. Patients with rerupture or otherwise failed nonoperative treatment were identified retrospectively. Time to rerupture and association of age, sex, time from injury, diabetes, and visits to the physiotherapist for cases of reruptures and otherwise failed nonoperative treatment were investigated. A total of 210 patients were included in the study. Results: Fifteen patients sustained a rerupture. Rerupture incidence was 7.1%. Incidence of late reruptures, those occurring after return to daily activities at 12 weeks, was 1.9%. Six patients had otherwise failed nonoperative treatment. Median time to rerupture was 23 days (6 to 61) after the end of the treatment. The incidence of all-cause failure was 10.0%. Male gender was associated with reruptures ( P = .013) and failed nonoperative treatment for any reason ( P = .029). Conclusion: It is important to highlight the increased risk of rerupture in male patients during the first month after the end of the nonoperative treatment. Age alone, even in male patients, was a poor indication for operative treatment since it did not predict early failure. Further studies will hopefully clarify the influence of activity level on the risk of rerupture. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.


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