Minimally invasive surgical treatment of patients with early "classic" subcutaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon

Introduction An Achilles tendon injury is a most common trauma (up to 47 %) among all subcutaneous ruptures of the tendon. Objective Improve outcomes of early subcutaneous ruptures of Achilles tendon using minimally invasive surgical procedure. Material and methods The review included outcomes of 47 patients treated for early "classic" subcutaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon at trauma and orthopaedic department № 1 Samara State Medical University from 2009 to 2016. Algorithm of diagnosis included clinical assessment, dynamic ultrasound examination, comprehensive stride assessment (podometry), electromyography of triceps surae muscle, and thermography of tibiae. Visualization of the rupture site, less trauma to the surrounding soft tissues (skin, paratenon), reliable adaptation of Achilles fragments were considered when devising a suturing technique. Results No infection was observed at the site of surgical intervention at the early postoperative stage. Functional recovery of the patients indicated to symmetrical force in the triceps surae muscle, restored thermal balance at thermography, and absence of limping at podometric assessment at 6-month follow-up. Conclusion Minimally invasive surgical procedure offered to treat patients with early “classic” subcutaneous ruptures of Achilles tendon allowed for early reliable restoration of the ankle function.