Return to physical activity after gastrocnemius recession.

AIM: To prospectively investigate the time taken and patients' ability to resume preoperative level of physical activity after gastrocnemius recession. METHODS: Endoscopic gastrocnemius recession (EGR) was performed on 48 feet in 46 consecutive sportspersons, with a minimum follow-up of 24 mo. The Halasi Ankle Activity Score was used to quantify the level of physical activity. Time taken to return to work and physical activity was recorded. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the short form 36 (SF-36), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Hindfoot score and modified Olerud and Molander (O and M) scores respectively. Patient's satisfaction and pain experienced were assessed using a modified Likert scale and visual analogue scales. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent (n = 42) of all patients returned to their preoperative level of physical activity after EGR. The mean time for return to physical activity was 7.5 (2-24) mo. Ninety-eight percent (n = 45) of all patients were able to return to their preoperative employment status, with a mean time of 3.6 (1-12) mo. Ninety-six percent (n = 23) of all patients with an activity score > 2 were able to resume their preoperative level of physical activity in mean time of 8.8 mo, as compared to 86% (n = 19) of patients whose activity score was ≤ 2, with mean time of 6.1 mo. Significant improvements were noted in SF-36, AOFAS hindfoot and modified O and M scores. Ninety percent of all patients rated good or very good outcomes on the Likert scale. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients were able to return to their pre-operative level of sporting activity after EGR.

Return to Sport and Physical Activity After Calcaneoplasty for Insertional Achilles Tendinosis.

The primary aim of the present study was to examine the time required and the ability of a consecutive series of patients undergoing open calcaneoplasty with reattachment of the Achilles tendon to return to their preoperative level of sporting activity. The secondary aim was to evaluate the functional outcomes and complication profile of this procedure. Open calcaneoplasty was performed on 22 feet (14 left [63.6%] and 8 right [36.4%]) in 22 consecutive patients, with a mean age of 55.28 ± 9.17 years. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 21.5 ± 8.2 months. The time required to return to work and sports and the functional outcomes were recorded. Of the 22 patients, 70% were able to return to their preoperative level of sporting activity after open calcaneoplasty with Achilles tendon reattachment at a mean of 5.14 ± 3.76 (range 2 to 12) months postoperatively. All the patients were able to resume their preoperative employment status at a mean of 3.30 ± 1.73 (range 0.5 to 6) months. Statistically significant improvements were found in the short-form 36-item questionnaire, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot scale, and visual analog scale for pain scores postoperatively. Most patients (72.8%) subjectively scored excellent or very good outcomes on a Likert scale for patient satisfaction. Most patients were able to return to their preoperative level of sporting activity after open calcaneoplasty with Achilles tendon reattachment, and they were all able to resume their preoperative employment status. In the present series of patients, the procedure resulted in satisfactory outcomes with statistically significant improvements in patient-reported functional scores and pain relief after surgery.