ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and analyze the clinical outcomes of the percutaneous repair of acute achilles tendon ruptures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study on 14 patients with acute closed rupture of the Achilles tendon and they were managed with percutaneous repair from Jan. 2006 to Jun. 2007. The clinical outcomes were analyzed according to the causes of the injury and the postoperative functional performances. RESULTS: All the cases showed good or excellent outcomes, according to the Arner-Lindholm scale for the evaluation of acute Achilles tendon rupture. The average AOFAS score was 95.6 (range: 91-100). Nine patients were very satisfied and five patients were satisfied. They were satisfied especially because of the minimal postoperative scar. Two cases of sural nerve injury were reported as complications, and these cases fully recovered at postoperative three months. No evidence of surgical wound infection, necrosis of the wound or rerupture of the tendon was seen. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture achieved high functional outcomes, a successful return to previous work and high satisfaction, with a relatively low incidence of complications.