ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous procedures have been used recently to treat insertional Achilles tendon problems. The present study reports our results of this treatment approach. METHODS: Patients undergoing percutaneous calcaneoplasty for insertional Achilles tendon problems were retrieved. Patients completed the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) questionnaire before the operative procedure and at the last follow-up. At the last follow-up, we asked the patients whether they were completely satisfied, moderately satisfied, or unsatisfied after the procedure. Complications were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients were enrolled. The average follow-up was 26.5 months (range 6-68). The mean age of patients was 56.2 years (24-82). The mean VAS score before surgery was 8.1 ± 0.9 decreasing by the last follow-up to 2.4 ± 2.3 (P < .0001). The mean VISA-A score improved from 20.7 ± 5.4 to 75.7 ± 25.5 at last follow-up, an improvement of 55% (P < .0001). At the last follow-up, 84.5% (22 of 27) patients were completely satisfied with the procedure, 7.4% (2 of 27) moderately satisfied, and 11.1% (3 of 27) were not satisfied. These last 3 patients presented recurrence of symptoms, requiring revision surgery. CONCLUSION: For the selected patients, we found percutaneous calcaneoplasty to be an effective treatment for insertional Achilles tendon problems. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective study.
