• Hao Zhang, Pei-Zhao Liu, Xin Zhang, Chen Ding, Hao-Chen Cui, Wen-Bin Ding, Ren-Kai Wang, Da-Jiang Wu, Qiang Wei, Sheng Qin, Xue-Lin Wu, Da-Ke Tong, Guang-Chao Wang, Hao Tang, and Fang Ji.
• Department of Orthopaedics, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, No 168 Changhai road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
• J Orthop Surg Res. 2018 Aug 10; 13 (1): 198.

BackgroundTraditional incision repair and minimally invasive repair for acute Achilles tendon repair have limitations. This study aimed to present our series of 23 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture that was repaired using two small incisions to assist the anchor repair of the tear and a new "circuit" suture technique.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of 23 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with the new technique at Changhai Hospital between January 2015 and December 2016 and followed up for 14-33 months. Clinical outcome was assessed using the AOFAS, Leppilahti, and Arner-Lindholm scores. Complications, range of motion (ROM), and time to return to work and light sport activity were assessed.ResultsThe AOFAS score was 85-96 at 3 months and 92-100 at 12 months. The 3-month ROM was 27°-37°, and the 12-month ROM was 36°-48°. The Leppilahti score was 85-95 at 3 months and 90-100 at 12 months. The recovery time of the patients was 10-18 weeks. The postoperative recovery time to exercise was 16-24 weeks. There was only one case of deep venous thrombosis. According to the Arner-Lindholm assessment criteria, patient outcomes were rated as excellent in 20 (87.0%) cases, good in three (13.0%) cases, and poor in 0 cases. The excellent-to-good rate was 100%.ConclusionThe limited-open procedure combined with a single-anchor and "circuit" suture technique could be used to repair torn Achilles sites, with a low occurrence of complications. This new and minimally invasive technique could be an alternative in the management of acute Achilles tendon rupture.

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