RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Acute closed spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture often occurs in elderly individuals and is usually accompanied with many complications. Conventional surgical approaches to remove the tendon lesions and enthesophytes are highly traumatic and cause complications. In this study, a previously established minimally invasive surgical approach was modified and combined with a Kazakh exercise therapy to reduce trauma, improve wound healing, and promote tendon regeneration in the management of acute closed spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with acute closed spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture were randomly classified into 2 groups. Group A included 23 patients that were treated with the novel approach. Group B included 29 patients that were treated with a continuous medial oblique surgical approach. Follow-up examinations were performed at post-operative weeks 12 and 24, and year 2. Outcomes were assessed by Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS), a heel-rise endurance test, and ultrasonographic and multislice spiral computerized tomography. RESULTS: Mean ATRS in Group A was 68.6 and 86.0 at post-operative week 12 and 24, respectively, significantly higher than that in Group B (55.9 and 72.0, respectively). Recovery of patients in Group A was significantly better compared to Group B (pâ¯<â¯0.01), allowing them to participate in early rehabilitating kinesiotherapy. Patients in Group A rarely experienced complications after surgery, such as infection and Achilles tendon exposure, while in Group B, the wound healing was slower, the inside flaps were prone to necrosis and infection, and Achilles tendon exposure occurred in 10% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The novel minimally invasive surgery is more advantageous in the treatment of acute closed spontaneous Achilles tendon rupture over previous approaches by promoting wound healing and tendon regeneration.
