Abstract
Objective The purpose of the study is to evaluate the clinical results and return to sports
in patients undergoing reconstruction of the Achilles tendon after minimally invasive
reconstruction with semitendinosus tendon graft transfer.
Methods Eight patients underwent surgical reconstruction with a minimally invasive technique
and tendon graft augmentation with ipsilateral semitendinosus tendon for chronic Achilles
tendon rupture (more than 30 days after the injury and a gap of >6 cm). Patients were
evaluated at a minimum follow-up of 24 months after the surgery through the American
Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Scores
(ATRS), the Endurance test, the calf circumference of the operated limb, and the contralateral
and the eventual return to sports activity performed before the trauma.
Results The mean age at surgery was 50.5 years. Five men and three women underwent the surgery.
The average AOFAS was 92, mean Endurance test was 28.1, and the average ATRS was 87.
All patients returned to their daily activities, and six out of eight patients have
returned to sports activities prior to the accident (two football players, three runners,
one tennis player) at a mean of 7.0 (range: 6.7–7.2) months after the surgery. No
patient reported complications or reruptures.
Conclusion Our study confirms encouraging results for the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture
with a minimally invasive technique with semitendinosus graft augmentation. The technique
can be considered safe and allows patients to return to their sports activity.
Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Keywords chronic Achilles tendon rupture - tendon transfer - return to sport
