• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.133-137
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of the old Achilles tendon rupture treated with modified flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon transfer. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with old Achilles tendon rupture treated with modified FHL tendon transfer between March 2004 and February 2008 were enrolled in this study. Technically FHL was pass through the distal portion of the ruptured tendon instead of the drilled hole made on the calcaneus. The mean age of the patients was 37 years (range, 22~67 years), mean follow-up period was 28 months (range, 12~30 months). Patients' subjective satisfaction, calf circumferential diameter, range of motion of ankle and AOFAS ankle-hind foot score and Arner-Lidholm score was evaluated. Results: The average gap between the ruptured tendon was 52 mm (range, 47~56 mm). The AOFAS score improved from 47 pre-operatively to 91 points at the last follow-up. Sixteen patients were satisfied with the result free from discomfort, a patient had mild discomfort who had DM. fourteen patients had decreased range of motion less than 5 degrees while 2 patients had more than 7 degrees decrease compared to the intact side but had no discomfort in daily activities. Nine patients had less than 1 cm calf circumferential diameter difference and 7 patients had 1 to 3 cm diameter difference compared to the intact side. One who had more than 3 cm diameter difference had deteriorated muscle strength. Conclusion: Modified FHL tendon transfer can be a useful technique for the treatment of old Achilles tendon rupture when the gap is with large gap placed too proximal.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.109-114
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report the surgical outcome of reconstruction of neglected chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with various methods including Achilles tendon allograft. Materials and Methods: Between October 2003 and November 2008, 8 consecutive neglected chronic Achilles tendon ruptures with the defect gap of more than 4 cm underwent surgical reconstruction including V-Y advancement, gastrocnemius fascial turn-down flap, flexor hallucis longus transfer and Achilles tendon allograft. There were 7 males and 1 female who were evaluated at more than 18 months after surgery. At the time of followup, all patients were assessed with regard to postoperative complications, their self-reported level of satisfaction, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot scale, 10 repetitive single heel rise, single leg hopping test, and ankle range of motion. Results: The AOFAS score increased from average 71.4 (50-87) to 96.4 (86-100). All patients were able to perform 10-repetitive single heel raise and single leg hopping at the latest follow up. No patient experienced wound complications and deep infection. Six patients were rated as 'excellent' and the other two as 'good'. Conclusion: Neglected chronic Achilles tendon ruptures could be successfully treated with careful selection of the reconstruction method according to the amount of defect gap. With an extensive defect, Achilles tendon allograft can be a good option when the reconstruction is not feasible otherwise.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.168-172
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Theaim of this study was to review the results of treatment for deep infection following repair of Achilles tendon rupture using reverse sural arterialized flap and/or flexor hallucis longus transfer. Materials and Methods: Five cases of Achilles tendon infection in five patients were treated using reverse sural arterialized flap and/or flexor hallucis longus transfer at our hospital with followed up of average 23.6 months (range, 13-43 months). Three patients were male and average age at surgery was 52.0 years (range, 42-59 years). Clinical results were evaluated by the method of Percy and Conochie, and the isokinetic peak torque value was interpreted according to the guideline of Sapega. Results: The clinical result was excellent in three cases, good in one case and fair in one case. The isometric peak torque value for $30^{\circ}$ per second was normal in two cases, possibly abnormal in one case, and probably abnormal in two cases, and for $120^{\circ}$, normal in one case, probably abnormal in four cases. Five cases in five patients were satisfied with the result of treatment. Conclusion: We can expect satisfactory results of treatment for deep infection following repair of Achilles tendon rupture using reverse sural arterialized flap and/or flexor hallucis longus transfer.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.34-39
• /
• 2009

Purpose: We try to evaluate the clinical results of the acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with Krackow suture technique. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 27 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated between October 2005 and September 2007. There were 26 complete ruptures and 1 incomplete rupture. All were ruptured at tendinous area. There were 21 men and 6 women, and mean age was 38 years. We repaired ruptured Achilles tendon with Krackow suture technique. The results were evaluated with Arner-Lindholm scale for patients' satisfaction, strength of calf muscle power, calf circumference, and ankle motion. The average follow-up was 29 months. Results: The patients' subjective clinical results was excellent in 25 cases and good in 2 cases. There were 15 cases of less than 1 cm, 6 cases of 1${\sim}$3 cm, and 1 case of more than 3 cm in the calf circumference difference between the normal and affected leg. There were 20 cases of less than 5 degrees, and 2 cases of more 5 degrees in the difference of range of motion between the normal and affected ankle. We had an experience of postoperative deep infection in one diabetic patient. Conclusion: We had a good clinical result for acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with Krackow suture method. So we recommand Krackow suture technique for acute Achilles tendon rupture.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.28-33
• /
• 2009

Purpose: This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the treatment results of chronic Achilles tendon rupture by Lindholm method. Materials and Methods: Between 2002 and 2006, we performed the reconstruction of the Achilles tendon by using of the gatrocnemius-sloeus fascia known as Lindholm method. Ten cases of ten patients were enrolled in this study (8 men and 2 women). The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 49 years (range, 32${\sim}$66 years). The mean follow-up duration was 15.2 months (range, 12${\sim}$19 months). The retrospective review of the clinical history, physical examination, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were conducted. Results: The mean AOFAS score before surgery was 74.10${\pm}$2.56 and that of the latest follow-up was 90.60${\pm}$5.72. The excellent results were six and good results were four patients. Eight patients were normal triceps power and the others were good. The average of heel to floor distance was 4.5 mm less in the operated legs than the contralateral ones in each patient, but there was no significant difference (p>0.05). The average of calf muscle circumference in the mid-leg was 7.5 mm less in the operated legs than the contralateral ones and there was significant difference (p<0.05). The active range of motion of the ankles, mean plantarflexion was 40 degrees and dorsiflexion was 16.8 degrees in operated side. The contralateral side was 43 degrees in plantarflexion and 19 degrees in dorsiflexion. No case showed rerupture of the reconstructed Achilles tendon. One patient had the superficial wound infection which was treated successfully by antibiotic therapy. Conclusion: It was suggested that the overall results of Lindholm method for the chronic Achilles tendon rupture indicated satisfactory outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.23-27
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of neglected Achilles tendon rupture treated with reconstruction and augmentation with flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon using one incision technique. Materials and Methods: Between July 2006 and March 2008, eleven patients with neglected Achilles tendon rupture received surgical treatment. Through one incision technique, augmentation with auto FHL tendon transfer was performed using a Bio-Interference screw (Arthrex, Naples, FL) and followed by V-Y advancement (5 cases) or gastronemius fascial turn-down flap procedure (6 cases). After mean follow up of 20.7 months (range, 11.8-33.3 weeks), clinical outcomes were evaluated with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, 10 repetitive double heel raise test, 10 repetitive single heel raise test and subjective satisfaction. Results: The length of the gap after debridement was $5.4{\pm}2.0$ cm. The VAS improved from $4.1{\pm}0.9$ to $1.5{\pm}0.8$ at last follow up (p<0.05). The AOFAS score increased from $38.9{\pm}12.2$ to $91.5{\pm}8.9$ at last follow up (p<0.05). Eight patients were satisfied with excellent results and three were satisfied with good results. All patients were able to perform 10 repetitive double heel raise and nine out of eleven patients were able to perform 10 repetitive single heel raise at last follow up. There were no complications including deep infection or re-rupture. Conclusion: Augmentation with FHL tendon transfer and reconstruction with V-Y advancement or turn-down flap through one incision technique appeared to be effective and safe. This technique is recommendable for the treatment of neglected Achilles tendon rupture.