Long-term follow up after acute Achilles tendon rupture.

• It is still unknown why many patients never fully recover after an Achilles tendon rupture (ATR). The aim of this study was to perform a long-term follow-up (5-9 years) of patients treated either surgically or non-surgically after an ATR. Furthermore, we wanted to examine if the patients had a tendon elongation on the injured side and evaluate if this correlated to function, symptoms and foot structure. Material and Method Sixty-seven patients (13 women) mean age of 50 years were evaluated 5-9 years after injury. Thirty-five patients were treated with surgery and 32 with non-surgery. Patient reported outcome and activity level, lower leg function, tendon length, and foot-structure were evaluated. Both the healthy and the injured side were examined and the limb symmetry index (LSI=injured/healthy x 100) was calculated. Results There were significant differences between the healthy and injured side in all function tests (p<0.001-0.015) and the tendon was significantly longer on the injured side (p<0.001) independent of treatment. There were no significant correlations between tendon length and patient reported outcome, function or foot structure. The heel-rise height increased significantly (p<0.000) from the 1 year- to the 5-9-years-follow up. The mean Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) was 91/100, indicating minor symptoms. Conclusion: Patients with an Achilles tendon rupture continues to have significant deficits in tendon structure and function 5-9 years after injury. There is, however continued improvement between the 1 and 5-9 year follow-up.

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MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

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