Post-Operative Outcome of Achilles Tendon Injury Treated with Knotless Percutaneous Achilles Repair System

Abstract

Background: The Achilles tendon is the most frequently ruptured tendon in the body and its incidence is increasing, more so among athletes. Various surgical techniques exist for treating it and one of these is as discussed in this study, Achilles tendon injury treated with Knotless PARS (Arthrex) that allows for earlier weight bearing and mobilization and, therefore, faster rehabilitation and an improved functional outcome. Aim: The post-operative progress of patients, specifically athletes subset with Achilles tendon injury treated with Knotless PARS is discussed in this article using Newcastle Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (NOFAS). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the patients operated on between March 2015 and January, 2017, 19 feet of 19 patients diagnosed with acute Achilles tendon rupture were treated. All clinical outcomes were examined using the Newcastle Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (NOFAS) in patients operated in the last 28 months after the operation. We measured their progress in 3 categories as follows: (1) Improvement in pain and symptoms. (2) Recovery and lifestyle improvement and (3) Motion and activity. Conclusion: The study suggests that the post-operative progress of patients with Achilles tendon injury treated with Knotless PARS (Arthrex) is strong, but the best results only appear in patients post 12 months of their surgery. We suggest, prospective and comparative studies will help for further research of this subject.