Purpose
The Achilles tendon is the most commonly ruptured tendon in the body [1].
Rupture of the Achilles tendon often requires surgical repair and extended immobilization,
which may lead to prolonged rehabilitation [2].
In addition,
the ruptured Achilles tendon heals slowly due to the limited blood supply and slow cell turnover [3].
Biomechanical properties and viscoelasticity of the repaired Achilles tendon are different from non damaged,
and itis of great valueforsport-related persons and ballet dancers.If repaired tendons are too stiff and hence not being able to...
Methods and materials
Patient population
39 patients (24 - non sport related persons,
without permanent sports activity and 15 athlets and balet dancers) with acute Achilles rupture after open surgical repair were included in the follow-up US with sonoelastography study.
The patients were8 females and 31 males.
With a median age of the whole group 38.1±10.6 years (range 18–65).
First group (non athlets) with median age 39,9 +/- 6,7 years,
second group (athlets) - 35,6 +/- 9,7 years.
In all cases,
the rupture was located in the middle...
Results
The average time from injury to surgery was 5.8 (range,
1.0–15) days.
Postoperatively,
none of the patients developed postoperative infections,
deep venous thrombosis,
recurrences,
or pulmonary embolisms.
The average follow-up time was 40 weeks (9 months).
The mean time to return to sport was 14.3 weeks (range,9 weeks to21 weeks).
There were significant differences with respect to the mean SR values and functional scores of the repaired Achilles tendon at 6,
12,
and 24 weeks postoperatively between 2 groups (all t<0.05) Fig. 2
Tendon function...
Conclusion
Sonoelastography is an effective method for monitoring regenerative processes of the Achilles tendon after operation,
reflecting the elasticity of the collagen fibers which can be used for individual rehabilitation programs for sport related and non-sport related patients.
Personal information
1.
Professor,
Dr.Veronika Gazhonova,
MD,
PhD,
is a consultant and chief ultrasound specialist at the United Hospital and Policlinic,
Moscow,
Russia and Professor of Radiology Chair in the Postgraduate Medical Education & Research Center,
President Medical Center,
Moscow.
Her areas of clinical interest are innovations in ultrasonography,
including 3D US,
sonoelastography,
US-guided procedures,
contrast US,
hybrid US technologies.
Dr.Gazhonova is a member of the Russian Association of Radiology (RAR),
the European Society of Radiology (since 1991),
and the Russian Association of Ultrasound in Medicine and...
References
1.Jozsa L,
Kvist M,
Balint BJ et al (1989) The role of recreational sport activity in Achilles tendon rupture.
A clinical,
pathoanatomical,
and sociological study of 292 cases.
Am J Sports Med,
1989; 17: 338–43
2.
Maffulli N,
Waterston SW,
Squair J et al: (1999) Changing incidence of Achilles tendon rupture in Scotland: a 15-year study.
Clin J Sport Med,9: 157–60
3.
Fenwick SA,
Hazleman BL,
Riley GP: (2002) The vasculature and its role in the damaged and healing tendon.
Arthritis Res;
4.
Witvrouw E,...