1. Operative Management ofOperative Management of
Achilles TendonAchilles Tendon
DisordersDisorders
Edward G. Magur, MDEdward G. Magur, MD
Cherry Blossom SeminarCherry Blossom Seminar
April 2012April 2012
3. IntroductionIntroduction
• Largest/strongest tendon in human bodyLargest/strongest tendon in human body
• Treatment tailored to pathology andTreatment tailored to pathology and
patient demandspatient demands
• Initial treatment typically non-operativeInitial treatment typically non-operative
– Exception: rupturesException: ruptures
• Surgical intervention ranges from simpleSurgical intervention ranges from simple
to complexto complex
4. Surgical PrinciplesSurgical Principles
• Approach and soft tissue handlingApproach and soft tissue handling
• Primary repair best when possiblePrimary repair best when possible
• Reconstructive goalsReconstructive goals
– Bridge gapsBridge gaps
– Restore blood supply/healing potentialRestore blood supply/healing potential
– Provide tissue for repairProvide tissue for repair
– Augment strengthAugment strength
6. Acute Achilles RuptureAcute Achilles Rupture
• LocationLocation
– Anywhere alongAnywhere along
course of tendoncourse of tendon
– MRI when in doubtMRI when in doubt
– Very distal rupturesVery distal ruptures
and avulsions notand avulsions not
rarerare
8. Acute Achilles RuptureAcute Achilles Rupture
• Open RepairOpen Repair
– WoundWound
complicationscomplications
• Highest with openHighest with open
repairrepair
• PotentiallyPotentially
devastatingdevastating
9. Acute Achilles RuptureAcute Achilles Rupture
• PercutaneousPercutaneous
RepairRepair
– Gain in popularityGain in popularity
last 10 yearslast 10 years
– CommerciallyCommercially
available systemsavailable systems
• Easier passage ofEasier passage of
suturessutures
• Less sural nerveLess sural nerve
entrapmententrapment
11. Acute Achilles RuptureAcute Achilles Rupture
• Trends and pearlsTrends and pearls
– Small medial incisionSmall medial incision
• ““Mini-open”Mini-open”
– Full thickness flapFull thickness flap
– Range to neutralRange to neutral
– Shorter absolute immobilizationShorter absolute immobilization
• Dorsiflexion-limited ROM bootDorsiflexion-limited ROM boot
– Earlier weightbearingEarlier weightbearing
12. Chronic Achilles RuptureChronic Achilles Rupture
• 4+ weeks after injury4+ weeks after injury
• Missed ruptureMissed rupture
• ““Silent rupture”Silent rupture”
• Function based on M-T unit lengthFunction based on M-T unit length
• Operative RxOperative Rx
– Based on function and patient requirementBased on function and patient requirement
– Higher risksHigher risks
13. Chronic Achilles RuptureChronic Achilles Rupture
• Reconstructive OptionsReconstructive Options
– V-Y lengtheningV-Y lengthening
– Turndowns and local graftingTurndowns and local grafting
– Tendon transferTendon transfer
– Free graftsFree grafts
• AllograftAllograft
• AutograftAutograft
• Collagen matrix productsCollagen matrix products
14. V-Y LengtheningV-Y Lengthening
• Defects <5cmDefects <5cm
• Limbs 2x defectLimbs 2x defect
• AdvantageAdvantage
– Local tissueLocal tissue
• DisadvantageDisadvantage
– Limited to 5 cmLimited to 5 cm
– Initial weaknessInitial weakness
15. TurndownsTurndowns
• Multiple techniquesMultiple techniques
• Central thirdCentral third
• AdvantagesAdvantages
– Bridge large gapsBridge large gaps
– Local tissueLocal tissue
• DisadvantagesDisadvantages
– ““lump” at TD sitelump” at TD site
– Two anastomosesTwo anastomoses
16. TransfersTransfers
• FHL most commonFHL most common
– In phase transferIn phase transfer
– Brings blood supplyBrings blood supply
with musclewith muscle
– Minimal donorMinimal donor
morbiditymorbidity
• Exception: AthletesException: Athletes
& performing artists& performing artists
• CombinationsCombinations
24. TendinosisTendinosis
• Resect allResect all
degenerativedegenerative
tendontendon
• <50% requires<50% requires
augmentaugment
– FHL transfer mostFHL transfer most
commonlycommonly
25. Pearls and PitfallsPearls and Pitfalls
…and speaker’s biases…and speaker’s biases
- When feasible, approach off midlineWhen feasible, approach off midline
- Avoid water-tight closureAvoid water-tight closure
- Hematoma---Hematoma--- Infection and sloughInfection and slough
- Check wound early and oftenCheck wound early and often
- Don’t get surprised in ORDon’t get surprised in OR
- MRI and pre-op planningMRI and pre-op planning
- Adjunctive and multiple proceduresAdjunctive and multiple procedures
- Anchors, biotenodesis screws, allograftsAnchors, biotenodesis screws, allografts
26. Pearls and PitfallsPearls and Pitfalls
…and speaker’s biases…and speaker’s biases
- Address all pathologyAddress all pathology
- Set tension to neutralSet tension to neutral
- Trend early mobilization and WBTrend early mobilization and WB
- Largest factorLargest factor
- ““Lay the crepe”Lay the crepe”
- Big reconstructions take 12-18 monthsBig reconstructions take 12-18 months
- Risk for complications increase with bigRisk for complications increase with big
surgerysurgery