Results in early surgical treatment of spontaneous achilles tendon rupture

Results of early surgical treatment of 28 spontaneous ruptures Of the Achilles tendon during various sports activities were evaluated. Fifteen of the 28 patients were injured in a racket activity. Six cases occurred during basketball playing. All of the rupture sites were in the tendon part, 2-6 cm above the calcaneal bone. Seventy-five percent of the patients were in their fourth decade or older None had had a medical problem before injury, and only two had experienced Achilles symptoms prior to the rupture. All of the repairs were done within four weeks. Twenty-four patients were contacted for follow-up (average, 6 months). Only three patients had postoperative minor wound problems. There was no rupture. Loss of motion was 6°in dosiflexion and 5°in plantar flexion, on the average. All 24 patients had a return of function but 4 among them could not reach their preinjury level. Spontaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon with early repair within a four weeks period showed satisfactory results.