• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.16-24
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• 2023

This study aimed to compare complete ruptured tendon healing between two different repair methods using the Achilles tendon of New Zealand white rabbits. Thoracolumbar fascia (TF) padded Kessler suture, polypropylene mesh (PM) padded Kessler suture, and Kessler suture only were performed on the completely transected lateral gastrocnemius tendon, and biomechanical and histologic characteristics were assessed after 8 weeks. For biomechanical assessment, the tensile strength of each repaired tendon was measured according to the established methods. For histomorphometric analysis, hematoxylin and eosin staining for general histology, and Masson's trichrome (MT) staining for collagen fibers, Alcian blue (AB) staining for proteoglycans were performed and analyzed. Significant increases in tensile strength with remarkable decreases in the abnormalities against nuclear roundness, cell density, fiber structure, and fiber alignment and significant decreases in the mean number of infiltrated inflammatory cells and AB-positive proteoglycan-occupied regions with increases in MT-positive collagen fiber-occupied regions were demonstrated in the Kessler suture with PM or TF padding groups as compared to those of the Kessler suture group. Both of PM and TF provided potent tensile strength and supported healing with the evidence of histological examinations. This means that augmentation with PM is useful for repairing a completely ruptured Achilles tendon, without additional surgery for autograft material harvesting.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2006

Purpose: To investigate the early results of limited open repair technique of Achilles tendon ruptures, and to describe the surgical technique. Materials and Methods: From October 2004 to February 2005, a total of 10 patients with Achilles tendon rupture underwent limited open repair. The average age of the patients was 39.3 years, and the average follow-up period was 9 months. The causes of injury were sports injuries in 8 cases, and slip down in 2. The mean interval between the injury and the operation was 9 days. The clinical results were assessed by patient's satisfaction, incision length, hospitalization, the ankle-hindfoot scale of American Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and complications. Results: Of 10 patients, 8 were very satisfied, and the remaining 2 were satisfied. The mean incision length was 2.0 cm, and the mean hospitalization was 2 days. The mean AOFAS score was 97 points, and there was no complications such as infection, rerupture, or nerve injury. All patients returned to work at approximately 2 months, and resumed light exercise such as jogging at approximately 3 months. Conclusion: Limited open repair technique of Achilles tendon ruptures is provided for better cosmetic results, high patient's satisfaction, and functionally successful results without postoperative complications.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.175-187
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between Achilles tendon angle, angular velocity from 2D cinematography utilized to easily analyze the functions of shoes, ankle joint moment, knee joint moment, and hip joint moment from 3D cinematography utilized to predict the injury. Also, this study was to provide the optimal standard to analyze the injury related to the shoes. Subjects in this study were 30 university male students and 18 conditions (2 types of running speed, 3 of midsole hardness, 3 of midsole height) were measured using cinematography and force platform. The results were as following. 1) Hip joint abduction moment was effected by many variables such as running speed, midsole height, maximum achilles tendon angle, ground reaction force. 2) Knee joint rotational moment in running was approximately 1/10 - 1/4 times of the injury critical value and eversion moment was approximately 1/4 - 1/2 times of the injury critical value. 3) Ankle joint pronation moment in running was 1/3 - 1/2 times of the injury critical value. 4) Knee joint rotational moment was found to be irrelevant with maximum achilles tendon angle or angular velocity. 5) Pronation from running was thought to be relevant to rather eversion moment activity than rotational moment activity of knee joint. 6) Plantar flexion abductor of ankle showed significant relationship with the ground reaction force variable. 7) When the loading rate for ground reaction force in passive region increased, extensor tended to be exposed to the injury. Main variables in biomechanical analysis of shoes were impact absorption and pronation. Among these variables, pronation factor was reported to be relevant with knee injury from long duration exercise. Achilles tendon angle factor was utilized frequently to evaluate this. However, as the results of this study showed, the relationship between these variables and injury relating variable of knee moment was so important. Studies without consideration on this finding should be reconsidered and reconfirmed.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.168-172
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• 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
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to compare and analyze the clinical outcomes of the percutaneous and open repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective study on 24 patients (group 1) managed with percutaneous repair, and 21 patients (group 2) managed with open repair for acute Achilles tendon rupture. The postoperative evaluations were done by an Arner-Lindholm scale and AOFAS score. Postoperative overall satisfaction and cosmetic satisfaction were also evaluated. Results: By Arner-Lindholm scale and AOFAS score, there was no difference between two groups (p<0.05). As for postoperative overall satisfaction, 5 cases were very satisfied, 16 cases were satisfied and 3 cases were fair in group 1. In group 2, 12 cases were very satisfied, 9 cases were satisfied. For postoperative cosmetic satisfaction, 13 cases were satisfied, 11 cases were fair in group 1. In group 2, 9 cases were very satisfied, 12 cases satisfied. In open repair group, a case of deep wound infection and three cases of skin necrosis were reported as complication. 2 cases of sural nerve injury were seen in percutaneous repair group and were recovered within 3 months. Conclusion: Percutaneous repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures have high level of cosmetic satisfaction compared with open repair without any significant difference in clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2023

Purpose: Postoperative exercise for acute Achilles tendon rupture is important for a patient's return to daily life and sports. On the other hand, the protocol requires considerable effort to educate patients and continuous checking. This study evaluated the outcome of a new simple and delayed rehabilitation protocol after Achilles tendon rupture repair. Materials and Methods: From July 2014 to November 2020, one hundred eighty-three patients were operated on by one surgeon. The exercise protocol was classified into two methods. One group (immediate protocol, control group) started immediate full weight bearing with a 20° plantar flexion range of motion from two days postoperatively. Ankle dorsiflexion was restricted to 0°. The other group (delayed protocol, case group) started full weight bearing with a controlled ankle motion boot from two weeks postoperatively. No range of motion exercise was allowed until six weeks postoperatively. Age, sex, body mass index, ankle range of motion, muscle power, time to return to previous physical activity, functional score, and complication rate were evaluated. The results of the two groups were compared using a Mann-Whitney test. Statistical significance was set as p<0.05. Results: The range of motion, double heel rising, and one-leg standing were achieved faster in the control group (p<0.05). However, single-heel rising, repeated single-heel rising, return to previous activity (work, run, and sport), and functional scores showed no statistical difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: Simple and delayed postoperative rehabilitation of acute Achilles tendon rupture without active range of motion exercises showed satisfactory functional results and a low complication rate.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2021

Purpose: Xanthomatosis of the Achilles tendons is rare. In some patients, however, the lesions in the Achilles tendon need to be removed, which may be painful and disfiguring. While studies of successful surgical outcomes for the total resection and reconstruction of the Achilles tendon have been reported, reconstruction surgery has a technical challenge, and extended surgical exposures are required. This study analyzed five cases of bilateral xanthoma of the Achilles tendon, which was treated surgically using a wedge-shaped tendon-sparing approach to eliminate the need for tendon reconstruction. Materials and Methods: From July 2010 to May 2018, five patients with xanthomatosis in both Achilles tendons underwent wedge-shaped tendon preserving surgery. The average age was 49 years (range, 40-55 years), and the follow-up period was 21.4 months (range, 12-31 months). The patients consisted of three males and two females. Complications related to surgery were recorded. The outcome measures included the range of motion of the ankle joint, American Orthopaedic Foot and ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle/hindfoot score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) for overall satisfaction at the last follow-up. The availability of a single-limb heel raise and returning time to work were also measured. Results: Wound dehiscence that did not require secondary surgery was noted in one patient. At the last follow-up, the range of motion of the ankle joint was normal in all patients. The mean AOFAS ankle/hindfoot score was 91 (range, 85-96) and the VAS for the overall satisfaction ranged from 8 to 10. The average time between surgery and return to work was 27.6 days (range, 17-58 days) and all patients could perform a single-limb heel raise test. Conclusion: The tendon-sparing technique, which can preserve the anatomical functioning of the Achilles tendon, could be an excellent surgical approach because it has very promising functional and cosmetic surgical outcomes in patients with Achilles tendon xanthomatosis.

• 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 the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2001

Rearfoot control can be defined as the relative ability of a shoe to limit the amount of subtalar joint pronation immediately following footstrike. A normal amount of pronation provides a means of decreasing peak forces experienced by the leg, but excessive pronation of the foot can be arised its injures. The purpose of this study is to compare amount of pronation according to a difference between medial and later hardness of shoe midsole for better design of running shops. The experiment is examined for 7 running shoes. 8 males. to measure the Achilles tendon angle and rearfoot angle using high speed camera. The results is conducted that the changes of Achilles tendon angle significantly differ at each test shoe with increased running speed. And, a difference between medial and lateral hardness of midsole affects rearfoot motion of runner. The displacements of maximal Achilles tendon angle described a amount of pronation motion is decreased when medial hardness of midsole is large more than lateral.

• 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.