• Sierra Phillips, Ashish Shah, Jackson Rucker Staggers, Martim Pinto, Alexandre Leme Godoy-Santos, Sameer Naranje, and Cesar de Cesar Netto.
• 1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL, USA.
• Foot Ankle Int. 2018 Apr 1; 39 (4): 500-505.

BackgroundThe objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening (TAL) using a triple hemisection technique and the improvement in ankle dorsiflexion.MethodsTen fresh-frozen above-knee cadaveric specimens were used. A percutaneous triple hemisection of the Achilles tendon (proximal, intermediate, and distal) was performed. Maximum ankle dorsiflexion was evaluated pre- and postprocedure with a digital goniometer. After proper dissection, the relative width of the cuts was noted. Following forced ankle dorsiflexion, displacement in the tensile gaps was measured in all 3 cuts with a precision digital caliper.ResultsThe overall relative width of the percutaneous cut was 51.3% ± 16.3% of the Achilles tendon diameter, 44.3% ± 13.6% for the proximal cut, 50.3% ± 15.6% for the intermediate cut, and 59.3% ± 18.4% for the distal cut. Tendon excursion averaged 13.0 ± 3.8 mm for the proximal cuts, 12.5 ± 4.7 mm for the intermediate cuts, and 8.2 ± 3.7 mm for the distal cuts. One cadaver had a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon and was excluded from the excursion data analysis. The mean range of motion for ankle dorsiflexion was 8.1 ± 3.9 degrees preprocedure and 27.6 ± 5.3 degrees postprocedure. The dorsiflexion angle significantly increased ( P < .0001) at an average of 19.5 ± 5.0 degrees following TAL.ConclusionOur cadaveric study demonstrated that the percutaneous triple hemisection of the Achilles was an accurate technique that provided successful lengthening of the tendon and increased ankle dorsiflexion. Complete ruptures are possible complications.Clinical RelevanceOur cadaveric study showed that in a clinical situation, triple hemisections of the Achilles tendon can be performed reliably, with significant improvement of the ankle dorsiflexion, mainly through increased tendon excursion at the proximal and intermediate cuts, and with low risk of complete ruptures.

15 keywords...

hide…