Brachioradialis tendon transfer and palmaris longus tendon graft for thumb avulsion:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Thumb replantation following complete traumatic avulsion requires complex techniques to restore function,especially in cases of avulsion at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint(MCP I)and avulsion of the flexor pollicis longus(FPL)at the musculotendinous junction.Possible treatments include direct tendon suture or tendon transfer,most commonly from the ring finger.To optimize function and avoid donor finger complications,we performed thumb replantation with flexion restoration using brachioradialis(BR)tendon transfer with palmaris longus(PL)tendon graft.CASE SUMMARY A 20-year-old left-handed male was admitted for a complete traumatic left thumb amputation following an accident while sliding from the top of a handrail.The patient presented with skin and bone avulsion at the MCP I,avulsion of the FPL tendon at the musculotendinous junction(zone 5),avulsion of the extensor pollicis longus tendon(zone T3),and avulsion of the thumb’s collateral arteries and nerves.The patient was treated with two stage thumb repair.The first intervention consisted of thumb replantation with MCP I arthrodesis,resection of avulsed FPL tendon and implantation of a silicone tendon prosthesis.The second intervention consisted of PL tendon graft and BR tendon transfer.Follow-up at 10 months showed good outcomes with active interphalangeal flexion of 70°,grip strength of 45 kg,key pinch strength of 15 kg and two-point discrimination threshold of 4 mm.CONCLUSION Flexion restoration after complete thumb amputation with FPL avulsion at the musculotendinous junction can be achieved using BR tendon transfer with PL tendon graft.

Elevated fluid and glycosaminoglycan content in the Achilles tendon contribute to higher intratendinous pressures:Implications for Achilles tendinopathy

Background:Tendinopathy alters the compositional properties of the Achilles tendon by increasing fluid and glycosaminoglycan content.It has been speculated that these changes may affect intratendinous pressure,but the extent of this relationship remains unclear.Therefore,we aimed to investigate the impact of elevated fluid and glycosaminoglycan content on Achilles tendon intratendinous pressure and to determine whether hyaluronidase(HYAL) therapy can intervene in this potential relationship.Methods:Twenty paired fresh-frozen cadaveric Achilles tendons were mounted in a tensile-testing machine and loaded up to 5% strain.Intratendinous resting(at 0% strain) and dynamic pressure(at 5% strain) were assessed using the microcapillary infusion technique.First,intratendinous pressure was measured under native conditions before and after infusion of 2 mL physiological saline.Next,80 mg of glycosaminoglycans were administered bilaterally to the paired tendons.The right tendons were additionally treated with 1500 units of HYAL.Finally,both groups were retested,and the glycosaminoglycan content was analyzed.Results:It was found that both elevated fluid and glycosaminoglycan content resulted in higher intratendinous resting and dynamic pressures(p <0.001).HYAL treatment induced a 2.3-fold reduction in glycosaminoglycan content(p=0.002) and restored intratendinous pressures.Conclusion:The results of this study demonstrated that elevated fluid and glycosaminoglycan content in Achilles tendinopathy contribute to increased intratendinous re sting and dynamic pressures,which can be explained by the associated increased volume and reduced permeability of the tendon matrix,respectively.HYAL degrades glycosaminoglycans sufficiently to lower intratendinous pressures and may,therefore,serve as a promising treatment.

A tendon system to re-center steel moment frames with weak stories

A wide open bottom story of a frame building is often expected by owners for use as a garage or shops.However,this leads to weak stories due to abrupt changes in lateral stiffness and often results in unexpected story collapse as observed in many previous earthquakes.To retrofit frame buildings that have experienced weak story damage,a tendon system is proposed in this study,which consists of a set of swaying columns and tendons.The swaying columns are used to uniformly redistribute the lateral deformation along the height,while the tendons provide extra lateral stiffness and renders the entire structural system a re-centering capability.To avoid unnecessary forces to swaying columns,pin-connections are used at the bottom.Tendons are placed over the entire story to gain large elastic displacements.Parametric analysis reveals that the swaying column,with a stiffness of about 0.9 times that of the weak story,and the tendons attached at the roof,with a stiffness of 0.04 times that of the weak story,can provide the optimal performance with a maximum residual story drift angle of less than 0.5%.Online hybrid tests were carried out,which demonstrated that uniformly distributed story drifts and acceptable residual deformation could be achieved by the proposed tendon system.

Multi-omics analysis of human tendon adhesion reveals that ACKR1-regulated macrophage migration is involved in regeneration

Tendon adhesion is a common complication after tendon injury with the development of accumulated fibrotic tissues without effective anti-fibrotic therapies,resulting in severe disability.Macrophages are widely recognized as a fibrotic trigger during peritendinous adhesion formation.However,different clusters of macrophages have various functions and receive multiple regulation,which are both still unknown.In our current study,multi-omics analysis including single-cell RNA sequencing and proteomics was performed on both human and mouse tendon adhesion tissue at different stages after tendon injury.The transcriptomes of over 74000 human single cells were profiled.As results,we found that SPP1^(+)macrophages,RGCC^(+)endothelial cells,ACKR1^(+)endothelial cells and ADAM12^(+)fibroblasts participated in tendon adhesion formation.Interestingly,despite specific fibrotic clusters in tendon adhesion,FOLR2^(+)macrophages were identified as an antifibrotic cluster by in vitro experiments using human cells.Furthermore,ACKR1 was verified to regulate FOLR2^(+)macrophages migration at the injured peritendinous site by transplantation of bone marrow from Lysm-Cre;R26R^(tdTomato) mice to lethally irradiated Ackr1^(-/-)mice(Ackr1^(-/-)chimeras;deficient in ACKR1)and control mice(WT chimeras).Compared with WT chimeras,the decline of FOLR2^(+)macrophages was also observed,indicating that ACKR1 was specifically involved in FOLR2^(+)macrophages migration.Taken together,our study not only characterized the fibrosis microenvironment landscape of tendon adhesion by multi-omics analysis,but also uncovered a novel antifibrotic cluster of macrophages and their origin.These results provide potential therapeutic targets against human tendon adhesion.

Animal models of tendon calcification:Past,present,and future

Tendon calcification is a common clinical condition that frequently occurs as a complication after tendon injury and surgery,or as an expression of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.This condition can be referred to by various names in clinical practice and literature,including tendon ossification,tendon mineralization,heterotopic ossification,and calcific tendonitis.The exact pathogenesis of tendon calcification remains uncertain,but current mainstream research suggests that calcification is mostly cell mediated.To further elucidate the pathogenesis of tendon calcification and to better simulate the overall process,selecting appropriate experimental animal models is important.Numerous animal models have been utilized in various clinical studies,each with its own set of advantages and limitations.In this review,we have discussed the advancements made in research on animal models of tendon calcification,with a focus on the selection of experimental animals,the sites of injury in these models,and the methods employed for modeling.

Bipolar hip arthroplasty using conjoined tendon preserving posterior lateral approach in treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures

BACKGROUND Hip fractures account for 23.8%of all fractures in patients over the age of 75 years.More than half of these patients are older than 80 years.Bipolar hemiarthroplasty(BHA)was established as an effective management option for these patients.Various approaches can be used for the BHA procedure.However,there is a high risk of postoperative dislocation.The conjoined tendon-preserving posterior(CPP)lateral approach was introduced to reduce postoperative dislocation rates.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the CPP lateral approach for BHA in elderly patients.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed medical data from 80 patients with displaced femoral neck fractures who underwent BHA.The patients were followed up for at least 1 year.Among the 80 patients,57(71.3%)were female.The time to operation averaged 2.3 d(range:1-5 d).The mean age was 80.5 years(range:67-90 years),and the mean body mass index was 24.9 kg/m^(2)(range:17-36 kg/m^(2)).According to the Garden classification,42.5%of patients were typeⅢand 57.5%of patients were typeⅣ.Uncemented bipolar hip prostheses were used for all patients.Torn conjoined tendons,dislocations,and adverse complications during and after surgery were recorded.RESULTS The mean postoperative follow-up time was 15.3 months(range:12-18 months).The average surgery time was 52 min(range:40-70 min)with an average blood loss of 120 mL(range:80-320 mL).The transfusion rate was 10%(8 of 80 patients).The gemellus inferior was torn in 4 patients(5%),while it was difficult to identify in 2 patients(2.5%)during surgery.The posterior capsule was punctured by the fractured femoral neck in 3 patients,but the conjoined tendon and the piriformis tendon remained intact.No patients had stem varus greater than 3 degrees or femoral fracture.There were no patients with stem subsidence more than 5 mm at the last follow-up.No postoperative dislocations were observed throughout the follow-up period.No significance was found between preoperative and postoperative mean Health Service System scores(87.30±2.98 vs 86.10±6.10,t=1.89,P=0.063).CONCLUSION The CPP lateral approach can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative dislocation without increasing perioperative complications.For surgeons familiar with the posterior lateral approach,there is no need for additional surgical instruments,and it does not increase surgical difficulty.

Adenylate cyclase activates the cAMP signalling pathway to enhance platelet-rich plasma-treated Achilles tendon disease,a theoretical bioinformatics-based study

The effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma(PRP)for the treatment of Achilles tendon disorders still needs to be evaluated through a series of prospective studies,but genomic analysis can reveal the existence of complementary PRP treatment options.Based on the 96 platelet activation-related genes in the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database,we performed Gene Ontology functional enrichment analysis and KEGG enrichment analysis,pathway correlation analysis,and enrichment mapping to determine the enrichment results of the gene set enrichment analysis and found that the cAMP signalling pathway may be the key to enhancing the effectiveness of PRP treatment.The cAMP signalling pathway interacts with the Rap1 signalling pathway and cGMPPKG signalling pathway to mediate the entire pathophy-siological process of Achilles tendon disease.Moreover,ADCY1-9 may be the key to the activation of the cAMP signalling network.Further based on the data in the Gene Expression Omnibus database,it was found that ADCY4 and ADCY7 may be the players that play a major role,associated with the STAT4-ADCY4-LAMA5 axis and the GRbeta-ADCY7-SEMA3C axis,which is expected to be a complementary target for enhancing the efficacy of PRP in the treatment of Achilles tendon disease.

Application of real-time shear wave elastography to Achilles tendon hardness evaluation in older adults

BACKGROUND Real-time shear wave elastography(SWE)is a non-invasive imaging technique used to measure tissue stiffness by generating and tracking shear waves in real time.This advanced ultrasound-based method provides quantitative information regarding tissue elasticity,offering valuable insights into the mechanical properties of biological tissues.However,the application of real-time SWE in the musculoskeletal system and sports medicine has not been extensively studied.AIM To explore the practical value of real-time SWE for assessing Achilles tendon hardness in older adults.METHODS A total of 60 participants were enrolled in the present study,and differences in the elastic moduli of the bilateral Achilles tendons were compared among the following categories:(1)Age:55-60,60-65,and 65-70-years-old;(2)Sex:Male and female;(3)Laterality:Left and right sides;(4)Tendon state:Relaxed and tense state;and(5)Tendon segment:Proximal,middle,and distal.RESULTS There were no significant differences in the elastic moduli of the bilateral Achilles tendons when comparing by age or sex(P>0.05).There were,however,significant differences when comparing by tendon side,state,or segment(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Real-time SWE plays a significant role compared to other examination methods in the evaluation of Achilles tendon hardness in older adults.

Insights and implications from the study on meniscus reconstruction using tendon autograft

This letter addresses the recent study by Zhu et al on the predictive factors for coronal and sagittal graft extrusion length following medial meniscus reconstruction using tendon autografts.The study provides valuable insights into the importance of preoperative joint space width and tunnel positioning as predictors of graft extrusion.Specifically,it found strong correlations between preoperative joint space width and medial,posterior,and mean graft extrusion at both 1 week and 8 months post-operation.Additionally,tunnel edge distance at 1 week postoperation correlated with anterior and posterior graft extrusion.These findings offer critical guidance for improving surgical outcomes.However,the letter highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes and comparative studies involving different graft types to strengthen these findings and broaden their applicability in clinical settings.The study's contributions to understanding meniscus reconstruction using tendon autografts are acknowledged,along with suggestions for future research directions.

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols for minimally invasive treatment of Achilles tendon rupture:Prospective single-center randomized study

BACKGROUND Achilles tendon rupture is a common orthopedic injury,with an annual incidence of 11-37 per 100000 people,significantly impacting daily life.Minimally invasive surgery,increasingly favored for its reduced risks and comparable fixation strength to open surgery,addresses these challenges.Despite advantages like accelerated recovery,perioperative care poses emotional support,pain management,and rehabilitation challenges,impacting treatment efficacy and patient experience.To address these gaps,this study investigated the efficacy of a rapid rehabilitation protocol in enhancing recovery outcomes for minimally invasive Achilles tendon surgery,aiming to develop personalized,standardized care guidelines for broader implementation.AIM To evaluate a nursing-led rapid rehabilitation program for minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair surgery,providing evidence-based early recovery indicators.METHODS This study enrolled 160 patients undergoing channel-assisted minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair randomized into experimental and control groups.The experimental group received perioperative rapid rehabilitation nursing care,while the control group received standard care.The primary outcome measure was the Oswestry disability index score,with secondary outcomes including quality of life,Barthel index,patient satisfaction with nursing,incidence of complications,and rehabilitation adherence.Statistical analysis included appropriate methods to compare outcomes between groups.The study was conducted in a specific setting,utilizing a randomized controlled trial design.RESULTS All 160 patients completed the follow-up.The experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in key efficacy indicators:Postoperative Oswestry disability index score(8.688 vs 18.88,P<0.0001),quality of life score(53.25 vs 38.99,P<0.0001),and Barthel index(70.44 vs 51.63,P<0.0001).The experimental group had a lower incidence of deep vein thrombosis(1.25%vs 10.00%,P=0.0339)with a relative risk of 0.1250(95%confidence interval:0.02050-0.7421).Infection rates were lower in the experimental group(2.50%vs 11.25%,P=0.0564).Hospital stay(5.40 days vs 7.26 days,P<0.0001)and postoperative bed rest(3.34 days vs 5.42 days,P<0.0001)were significantly shorter.Patient satisfaction was 100%in the experimental group vs 87.50%in the control group(P=0.0031).CONCLUSION The rapid rehabilitation intervention significantly reduced pain,shortened hospital stays,and lowered complication rates,improving joint function and patient satisfaction.

Presentation and management outcome of foot drop with tibialis posterior tendon transfer

BACKGROUND Foot drop causes considerable disability.The ankle-dorsiflexion is either weak or lost completely.Additionally,the ankle eversion and toe extensions are also impaired.This results in a high steppage gait while walking.Overall,the gait is awkward;there is greater energy consumption;increased proneness to sustain injury of the forefoot;and more frequent falling during walking.AIM To document the clinical and epidemiological profile of foot drop patients in our population and evaluate the outcome of tibialis posterior(TP)tendon transfer for restoring the lost dorsiflexion in foot drop.METHODS The study was carried out at the National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine in Islamabad over a period of 7 years.It included patients of all sexes and ages who presented with foot drop and had no contraindications for the procedure of TP tendon transfer.Exclusion criteria were patients who had contraindications for the operation.For instance,paralyzed posterior leg compartment muscles,Achilles tendon contracture,stiff ankle or toes,unstable ankle joint,weak gastrocnemius and scarred skin spanning over the route of planned tendon transfer.Also,patients who had the foot drop as a result of disc prolapses or brain diseases were excluded.Convenience sampling technique was used.The circum-tibial route of TP tendon transfer was employed.RESULTS Out of 37 patients,26(70.27%)were males whereas 11(29.72%)were females.The mean age was 22.59±8.19 years.Among the underlying causes of foot drop,road traffic accidents constituted the most common cause,found among 20(54.05%)patients.The share of complications included wound infections in 3(8.10%)patients and hypertrophic scars in 2(5.40%)patients.At 1-year postoperative follow-up visits,the outcome was excellent in 8(21.62%),good in 20(54.05%)and moderate in 9(24.31%).CONCLUSION The majority of cases of foot drop resulted from road traffic accidents that directly involved the common peroneal nerve.TP tendon transfer through the circumtibial route was found to be an easily executed effective operation which restored good dorsiflexion of the ankle among the majority of patients.

The Idea of Treating Numbness of Lower Limbs after Stroke with Zhuang Medical Meridian Therapy by Regulating Shaoyang Meridian Tendons

Based on the understanding of lower limb numbness after stroke in Zhuang medicine, this study makes diagnosis and treatment of lower limb numbness after stroke from the clinical differentiation and treatment ideas of "numbness due to Shaoyang (lesser Yang)" through Zhuang Medicine Meridian Tendon Therapy. The triple therapy of meridian tendon Tuina+acupuncture+cupping originally created by Zhuang medicine and head bloodletting by Zhuang medicine were used to improve the numbness symptoms of patients. This provides a new thinking mode for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment of lower limb numbness after stroke.

Tendoscopic Surgery for Peroneal Tendons Instability: A Literature Review

Introduction: There has been a surge in the use of tendoscopic surgery for treating peroneal tendons instability. The novelty of this approach demanded a literature review of its indications, limitations, and clinical outcomes. Aim: a literature review of the clinical studies reporting on tendoscopic peroneal tendon stabilisation surgery along with its outcomes and complications. Methods: We carried out a comprehensive review of the literature up until September 2022 with an extensive search of the MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane library databases. Results: Initial search resulted in 66 articles. Four duplicate articles were removed. Further 30 articles were excluded after title and abstract screening. Eight studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Articles were analysed for outcomes and complications. Conclusion: The tendoscopic technique for peroneal tendon instability is an effective and safe surgical technique with very low failure rate. Levels of Evidence: Level IV.

Correlation of Hamstring Tendon Size in Pre-Operative MRI Measurement with Intra-Operative Graft Size in Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction

Background: The size of Hamstring autograft of less than 8.0 mm in ACL re-construction is one of the key factors that may contribute to the failure of the graft. In this study, we are going to assess the correlation of pre-operative MRI measurement of Hamstring tendons with the intra-operative ACL graft. Thus, it may help surgeons to anticipate the needs for graft augmentation should the final graft size be smaller than expected. Methods: We retrospectively re-viewed 41 cases of ACL reconstructions in which MRI were done pre-operatively, in Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah (HPSF), Muar between January 2019 until December 2022. MRI measurements of Hamstring tendon (semitendinosus: ST, and gracilis) were done by a radiologist, and the in-tra-operative notes were reviewed for the final graft size. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationship between graft size and tendon cross-sectional area. The intraclass correlation (ICC) by using two-way mixed model with type consistency, the reliability based on average measure was 0.41 (95% CI: ?0.10, 0.69). A p-value < 0.05 was considered sig-nificant. Results: Of 105 patients with primary ACL reconstruction done be-tween January 2019 to December 2022, only 41 patients were included in this study. There was fair correlation (p = 0.048) between pre-operative MRI measurement and the graft diameter intra-operatively. The mean of 17.0 mm of combined diameter of ST and gracilis tendon in MRI may results in graft diameter of 8.3 mm. There was also positive correlation between patients’ height and the intra-operative graft size. Conclusion: These results showed good correlation between pre-operative MRI measurement of Hamstring ten-don size with the intra-operative graft size, hence it is a reliable tool to predict the Hamstring autograft size in ACL reconstruction.

Tendon Force的概念及计算方法

Tendon Force的概念最早由 White提出 ,它可以理解为焊接接头中的固有应变所产生的固有应力的积分值。Tendon Force的研究 ,在以固有应变理论为基础的弹性有限元法预测大型复杂结构的焊接变形 ,以及热应力弯板成形中 ,具有重要的意义。本文阐述了 Tendon Force的概念 ,提出了 Tendon Force的计算方法 ,在此基础上 ,通过热弹塑性有限元分析得到了 Tendon Force与输入能量的关系式。

Anterolateral rotatory instability in vivo correlates tunnel position after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone graft

AIM To quantitatively assess rotatory and anterior-posterior instability in vivo after anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone(BTB) autografts, and to clarify the influence of tunnel positions on the knee stability.METHODS Single-bundle ACL reconstruction with BTB autograft was performed on 50 patients with a mean age of 28 years using the trans-tibial(TT)(n = 20) and trans-portal(TP)(n = 30) techniques. Femoral and tibial tunnel positions were identified from the high-resolution 3 D-CT bone models two weeks after surgery. Anterolateral rotatory translation was examined using a Slocum anterolateral rotatory instability test in open magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) 1.0-1.5 years after surgery, by measuring anterior tibial translation at the medial and lateral compartments on its sagittal images. Anterior-posterior stability was evaluated with a Kneelax3 arthrometer.RESULTS A total of 40 patients(80%) were finally followed up. Femoral tunnel positions were shallower(P < 0.01) and higher(P < 0.001), and tibial tunnel positions were more posterior(P < 0.05) in the TT group compared with the TP group. Anterolateral rotatory translations in reconstructed knees were significantly correlated with the shallow femoral tunnel positions(R = 0.42, P < 0.01), and the rotatory translations were greater in the TT group(3.2 ± 1.6 mm) than in the TP group(2.0 ± 1.8 mm)(P < 0.05). Side-to-side differences of Kneelax3 arthrometer were 1.5 ± 1.3 mm in the TT, and 1.7 ± 1.6 mm in the TP group(N.S.). Lysholm scores, KOOS subscales and reinjury rate showed no difference between the two groups.CONCLUSION Anterolateral rotatory instability significantly correlated shallow femoral tunnel positions after ACL reconstruction using BTB autografts. Clinical outcomes, rotatory and anterior-posterior stability were overall satisfactory in both techniques, but the TT technique located femoral tunnels in shallower and higher positions, and tibial tunnels in more posterior positions than the TP technique, thus increased the anterolateral rotation. Anatomic ACL reconstruction with BTB autografts may restore knee function and stability.

Active Achilles tendon kinesitherapy accelerates Achilles tendon repair by promoting neurite regeneration

Active Achilles tendon kinesitherapy facilitates the functional recovery of a ruptured Achilles tendon However, protein expression during the healing process remains a controversial issue. New Zealand rabbits, aged 14 weeks, underwent tenotomy followed immediately byAchilles tendon microsurgery to repair the Achilles tendon rupture. The tendon was then immobilized or subjected to postoperative early motion treatment （kinesitherapy）. Mass spectrography results showed that after 14 days of motion treatment, 18 protein spots were differentially expressed, among which, 12 were up-regulated, consisting of gelsolin isoform b and neurite growth-related protein collapsing response mediator protein 2. Western blot analysis showed that gelsolin isoform b was up-regulated at days 7-21 of motion treatment. These findings suggest that active Achilles tendon kinesitherapy promotes the neurite regeneration of a ruptured Achilles tendon and gelsolin isoform b can be used as a biomarker for Achilles tendon healing after kinesitherapy.

Fracture of ossified Achilles tendons:A review of cases

Fracture of an ossification of the Achilles tendon(OAT)is a rare entity,and its etiology,pathology,and treatment remain unclear.We reviewed and scrutinized 18 cases(16 articles)of the fracture of an OAT.The most common etiologies of the ossifications include previous surgery and trauma.The fractures often occur without any trigger or with minimal trigger.The long,>5 cm,ossification in the body of the Achilles tendon may have a higher risk of fracture.The OAT itself is often asymptomatic;however,its fracture causes severe local pain,swelling,and weakness of plantar flexion,which forces patients to undergo aggressive treatments.Regarding the treatments of the fractures,nonoperative treatment by immobilizing ankle joint could be an option for elderly patients.However,because it often cannot produce satisfactory results in younger patients,surgical treatment is typically recommended.Excision of the fractured mass and repairing the tendon is applicable if the remnant is enough.If there is a defect after the excision,reconstruction with autologous grafts or adjacent tendon transfer is performed.Gastrocnemius fascia turndown flap,hamstring tendon and tensor fascia lata are used as autologous grafts,whereas peroneus brevis and flexor hallucis longus tendons are used for the tendon transfer.If the fracture of an OAT is treated properly,the functional result will be satisfactory.

Management of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture Using the Krackow and Tendon-Bundle Techniques

Background Acute Achilles tendon rupture is a severe injury of the lower extremities;however,optimal treatment options are not yet available.This study aimed to investigate the surgical method and clinical effect of the Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques for managing acute Achilles tendon rupture.Methods This retrospective case series study analyzed 17 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture at the Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from December 2012 to January 2020.There were 16 men and one woman,aged 27–45 years,with an average of 39.6 years.Thirteen patients were injured while playing basketball or badminton,and 4 patients were injured while participating in a football match or other sports.All injuries were repaired using the Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques.Postoperative evaluation indicators included active range of motion during ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion,height of single foot heel lifting,Amer-Lindholm Achilles tendon function score,and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)score.Results The patients were followed-up for 6–45 months(average,18.9 months).There was no re-rupture of the Achilles tendon,wound infection,or sural nerve injury.At the final follow-up,the affected and contralateral sides exhibited plantar flexion of 42.1±4.4°and 43.8±2.8°,dorsiflexion of 15.8±2.9°and 16.6±2.9°,respectively,and one foot exhibited a heel lifting height of 7.2±1.0 cm and 7.5±0.9 cm,respectively.There was no significant difference between the affected and contralateral sides(P>0.05).At the final follow-up,the Amer-Lindholm Achilles tendon function score was excellent in 94.1%(16/17)of the patients and good in 5.9%(1/17)of the patients.The AOFAS scores ranged from 90 to 100,with an average of 96.4±3.7.Conclusion Krackow and tendon-bundle techniques can improve the strength of the suture used for the Achilles tendon repair and ensure good matching for broken ends,and thus it is an effective repair method for closed Achilles tendon injury.

Footfall patterns of a runner with an Achilles tendon rupture

Purpose: This study aims to compare the load and the length of previously ruptured and healthy Achilles tendon(AT) of a recreational runner who used different footfall patterns on each limb during running.Methods: A 41-year-old recreational athlete with a ruptured AT participated in this report. Two force plates and a high-speed motion capture system were used to collect ground reaction force and kinematic data in shod and barefoot running conditions. AT length was measured using ultrasonography and an infrared camera system. AT force was estimated as the active plantar flexion moment divided by AT moment arm during stance phase.Results: The participant used a rearfoot pattern on the affected limb and a forefoot/midfoot pattern on the unaffected limb during shod running,and a forefoot/midfoot pattern during barefoot running. There was no difference between the length of the affected and the unaffected AT. During shod running, the maximal AT force and loading rate were lower in the affected AT versus the unaffected AT. During barefoot running, the affected maximal AT force and loading rate were greater than the unaffected AT.Conclusion: Footfall patterns can be an adaptation to reduce the loading on a previously injured AT. It appears that runners may consider using a rearfoot footfall pattern during running to reduce the stress on the AT.