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

• 대한정형외과스포츠의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.09a
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• pp.62-62
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• 2004

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.181-189
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• 2002

Purpose: We try to evaluate the functional outcomes of the ankle with isokinetic plantaflexion torque for acute achilles tendon rupture cases those treated by primary repair with the Krackow suture technique and early rehabilization. Materials and Method: The authors studied retrospectively, 15 patients of acute achilles tendon rupture treated and followed over six months, from July 1997 to May 2001. There were 12 men and 3 women, and mean age was 39.6year. The repair method of ruptured tendon was single or double Krackow suture technique. One week(5days-2weeks) after operation, early ROM with ankle-foot orthosis was started. We used Arner-Lindholm Scale for the clinical evaluation and analyzed patient's satisfaction and subjective strength deficit. We analyzed the dorsiflexion peak torque and plantarflexion peak torque of the ankle statistically with strength test with Cybex dynamometer. Result: In clinical results, we had 11 excellent cases(73%) and 3 good cases(20%). In patients satisfaction degree, 11 excellent cases(66.6%), 3 good cases(20%) and 2 fair cases(13.4%). And in strength deficit, 3 none deficit (20%), 9 minimal deficit(60%). We evaluated the isokinetic plantar flexion torque in 3months or 6months after operation. After 3 months, isokinetic test showed the mean functional deficits, 32% and 25% at $30^{\circ}$ and $120^{\circ}/sec$, in 7 cases(46.6%) of 15 cases respectively. After 6 months, the mean deficits were in 21%, 24% at 30. and $120^{\circ}/sec$, respectively. At 3 and 6 months' follow up, absolute value of isokinetic test showed increase of 25. 31bs to 421bs and 19.61bs to 271bs at $30^{\circ}$ and $120^{\circ}/sec$, respectively. Conclusion: We had good result for acute achilles tendon rupture treated by Krakow suture technique and early range of motion exercise of the ankle. After 6 months, strength deficit was 21% in all of cases but were able to return pre-injured state. This study shows Krakow suture technique was recommended method for primary repair and early rehabilization of achilles tendon ruptue.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.115-118
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report on the result of repairing Achilles tendon using absorbable suture under nerve block. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture who were followed up for at least six months after the operation. We repaired Achilles tendon using two absorbable sutures using the Krackow technique for the proximal stump and the Kessler technique for the distal stump. A programmed postoperative management including non-weight bearing with a short leg cast for four weeks after the operation was applied for all patients. We evaluated clinical results using American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score, visual analogue scale (VAS) for satisfaction, range of motion of ankle, functional recovery rate, and the starting time of single heel raise. Results: The mean VAS score for satisfaction and AOFAS score was 9.2 and 93.0, respectively. The affected ankle showed a mean dorsiflexion rate of 90% and plantar-flexion rate of 94% compared to the uninjured side. The single heel raise could start at a mean of 3.5 months after the operation. Conclusion: Treatment of Achilles tendon rupture with absorbable suture material using the hybrid suture technique of proximal Krackow and distal Kessler showed sufficient stability and minimal chronic inflammatory reaction.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes of acute achilles tendon rupture patients treated by early mobilization after operative repair. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 12 patients of acute Achilles tendon rupture were surgically treated from May 2001 to November 2002, with follow-up period of at least 6 months. There were 10 men and 2 women, and mean age was 35.9 year. The repair method was single Krackow suture technique. Two to three weeks after the operation, early ROM with removable ankle-foot orthosis(AFO) was started. We used Amer-Lindholm scale for the clinical evaluation and analyzed patient's satisfaction and subjective strength deficit. Results: We had 11 excellent results(92%), and 1 good results(8%). One-leg heel raising was possible in all patients. All the patients returned to the preinjury occupations and 7 patients(58%) reached the preoperative level of sports activities. There was no significant difference in ankle ROM and ankle plantar flexion isokinetic strength compared to contralateral side. There was, no reruptures. Conclusion: Early mobilization proved to be a well tolerated, safe, and effective means for the compliant patient.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2000

The tendinous ends of neglected achilles tendon rupture tend to retract and separate with atrophy due to gastrosoleus muscle contracture, leaving a wide gap occupied with fibroadipose scar tissue. It is almost impossible to perform simple end-to-end anastomosis after the intervening scar tissue being excised. Therefore many surgical procedures have been proposed to reconstruct the large gap. We treated three such cases by V-Y advancement flap and double Krackow suture technique, and their postoperative strength of triceps surae were evaluated with Cybex isokinetic strength testing. All patients returned to preinjury activities with satisfaction, but the ankle plantar flexor power showed about 20-30% deficit.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.216-219
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• 2019

In clinical practice, recurrent Achilles ruptures have been noted to occurr at the original ruptured site. However, reports of new developed fresh rupture of the Achilles tendon in other sites are is extremely rare. Our report is about one uncommon case of a traumatic calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fracture following augmented repair, which was performed using the Krackow locking loop technique. We performed open reduction and intra-osseous fixation using a suture anchor. This procedure was done through the primary longitudinal incision for the calcaneal avulsion fracture fragment. After 6 months of follow-up, our patient has achieved a complete functional recovery and he can normally perform daily and work-related tasks without pain.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2005

Propose: There have been many debates about the ideal surgical technique for acute Achilles tendon rupture. The purpose of this study is to review and analyze the clinical outcome of the acute Achilles tendon ruptures that had been repaired by indirect suture technique with minimal incision that utilized an instrument called Achillon (Newdeal, France). Materials and Methods: This study is based on the 14 cases (14 patients) of acute Achilles tendon total ruptures that have been repaired by minimal incision technique utilizing Achillon instrument from June 2003 to December 2004. Two cases were reruptured before 8 weeks and repaired again using Krackow suture which left 12 feet for postoperative functional evaluation with at least 6 months of follow-up. Ten cases were men and average age at time of injury was 34.4 (26-49) years. The time from injury to surgery was an average of 4.5 (1-9) days and the postoperative evaluations were done by an Arner-Lindholm scale and AOFAS score. The ability to return to original work and sports activities as well as patient satisfaction were also evaluated. Results: The follow-up period was averaged for 13.2 (6-24) months. Seventy-one percent of cases were ruptured during sports activities. The ruptured level was the average of 5.1 cm (3.2-8 cm) above calcaneal attachment and the skin incision was averaged for 2.7 cm (2.5-3.0 cm) long. At final follow-up, standing on tip-toe was possible in all cases while the heel-floor height on ruptured side was shorter by 0.7 cm (0-2 cm). By Arner-Lindholm evaluation scale, 9 cases were excellent, and 3 cases were good. Overall AOFAS score was an average of 96.1 (94-100), and all patients were satisfied with the result. Patients returned to work at an average of 1.3 months after the surgery and pre-injury sports activities were all possible from at 6 months after operation. Conclusion: Since we have treated acute Achilles tendon ruptures with minimal incision technique utilizing the Achillon and gained encouraging functional results with all patients returning to previous work with high patient satisfaction, this technique could be recommended as one of the ideal surgical options for the Achilles tendon ruptures.