This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow CME: Take the exam for this article:
 Foot/Ankle Test 4: Perioperative Considerations/Nonoperative Treatments
Right arrow Letters to the Editor: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Letters to the Editor are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wallace, R. G.H.
Right arrow Articles by Eames, M. H.A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Wallace, R. G.H.
Right arrow Articles by Eames, M. H.A.
Related Collections
Right arrow Foot/Ankle
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Technorati  
What's this?
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American) 86:1198-1202 (2004)
© 2004 The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.

Combined Conservative and Orthotic Management of Acute Ruptures of the Achilles Tendon

Richard G.H. Wallace, MCh(Orth), MD, FRCS1, Ingrid E.R. Traynor, MPhil1, W. George Kernohan, PhD2 and Michael H.A. Eames, MD, FRCS(Tr and Orth)1

1 Musgrave Park Hospital, Stockman's Lane, Belfast BT9 7JB, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. E-mail address for R.G.H. Wallace: r.wallace{at}dnet.co.uk. E-mail address for M.H.A. Eames: meames{at}doctors.org.uk
2 University of Ulster, Jordanstown, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

Investigation performed at Musgrave Park Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

In support of their research or preparation of this manuscript, one or more of the authors received grants or outside funding from The Wishbone Trust, which provided the salary for I.E.R. Traynor as a research physiotherapist for six months. None of the authors received payments or other benefits or a commitment or agreement to provide such benefits from a commercial entity. No commercial entity paid or directed, or agreed to pay or direct, any benefits to any research fund, foundation, educational institution, or other charitable or nonprofit organization with which the authors are affiliated or associated.

Background: There has been considerable debate about the best treatment for acute rupture of the Achilles tendon. At our institution, a well-documented and structured program of nonoperative management of Achilles tendon rupture with use of casts and a removable orthosis was developed.

Methods: We assessed the results in 140 consecutive patients with a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon who had been treated with our nonoperative regimen at our center between 1992 and 1998. Patients were evaluated on the basis of the subjective results and clinically with physiological testing.

Results: Overall, 56% of our patients had an excellent result; 30%, good; 12%, fair; and 2%, poor. The overall complication rate was 8%, with three complete and five partial tendon reruptures, two deep vein thromboses, and one temporary dropfoot.

Conclusions: The results of our nonoperative orthotic treatment were better overall than published results of operative repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Our patients were quite satisfied with their treatment.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic study, Level IV (case series [no, or historical, control group]). See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Am J Sports MedHome page
R. Metz, E.-J. M. M. Verleisdonk, G. J.-M.-G. van der Heijden, G.-J. Clevers, E. R. Hammacher, M. H. J. Verhofstad, and C. van der Werken
Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture: Minimally Invasive Surgery Versus Nonoperative Treatment With Immediate Full Weightbearing--A Randomized Controlled Trial
Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2008; 36(9): 1688 - 1694.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 J. Am. Podiatr. Med. Assoc.Home page
M. B. Werd
Achilles Tendon Sports Injuries: A Review of Classification and Treatment
J Am Podiatr Med Assoc, January 1, 2007; 97(1): 37 - 48.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Am J Sports MedHome page
R. Kotnis, S. David, R. Handley, K. Willett, and S. Ostlere
Dynamic Ultrasound as a Selection Tool for Reducing Achilles Tendon Reruptures
Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2006; 34(9): 1395 - 1400.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 JBJSHome page
R. A. Miller, T. A. DeCoster, and M. S. Mizel
What's New in Foot and Ankle Surgery?
J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., April 1, 2005; 87(4): 909 - 917.
[Full Text] [PDF]