Diagnosis and treatment of Achilles tendon rupture
Horel, K.
Sbornik Vedeckych Praci Lekarske Fakulty Karlovy Univerzity V Hradci Kralove. Supplementum 23(2): 99-105
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0049-5522 PMID: 6969930 Document Number: 167320
Achilles' tendon rupture [ATR] occurs relatively frequently in men 30-40 yr old. Mostly, it is preceded by achillodynia, which.sbd.after an improper treatment.sbd.results in permanent morphologic changes, weakening of the tendon and then its rupture. Inconsiderate applications of hydrocortisone to the tendon are a warning. Early diagnosis and proper surgical therapy give good results. Apparently, the only correct therapy of ATR is early suture of the tendon. Patients (30) with ATR were operated. Achillodynia preceded in 15 cases; in 9 of the cases, it was locally cured with corticoids. In 50% of patients, a correct diagnosis was made late. Advanced degenerative changes required more complicated plastic surgeries. Postsurgical results were excellent in 20 patients; in only 2 cases were they bad. Among others, complications appeared as follows: 3 slight skin defects, 2 cases of rupture recurrence and 1 wound infection.