Achilles Tendon Rupture Surgery
There are two options for treatment. One option is an operation to repair the tendon. The surgeon sews together the torn ends of the Achilles tendon, and perhaps may also use another tendon or a tendon graft to help with the repair. A plaster cast or brace (orthosis) is needed after the operation.
Our surgeons use two techniques to do this and a summary of each is listed below…
Achilles Tendon Rupture – PARS Technique
The Percutaneous Achilles Repair System, or PARS technique, enables surgeons to better repair a torn Achilles tendon through a smaller incision.
The Achilles normally does not tear cleanly, rather it shreds like a mop, so without proper treatment, it just becomes a ball of fibers, which means traditionally the surgeon would cut out all of the damaged tissue to create two clean ends and sew those ends of the tendon together.
The PARS technique requires a two-centimeter, horizontal incision about four to six centimeters above the heel to insert the PARS device up towards the knee. The PARS device has four prongs – two that go inside the leg to hold the tendon in place and two that go outside the leg. All four prongs have eight small holes that enable the surgeon to pass needles and suture thread all the way through the tendon. Then, the device is inserted down towards the ankle and the process is repeated. The surgeon will then pull the threads tautly and secure the two ends of the tendon together.
This procedure is performed as a day case under local anaesthetic and sedation, so the patient normally can return home the same day. You will be fitted with a support boot which will be required to be worn for around 4 weeks.
There will be a comprehensive, tailored rehabilitation programme and in most cases, patients are back to normal day to day activities within 3 months, for those with specific sporting interests it may take slightly longer to return to full normal sporting activity.
Achilles Tendon Rupture – Achillon Technique
The ACHILLON® System™ is an elegant method to treat acute Achilles tendon ruptures. It is a mini-invasive procedure that allows direct visual control of the repair, as well as percutaneous introduction of the sutures.
The surrounding soft tissues and the tendon itself are always treated with the utmost care to avoid any local trauma.
During surgery a small incision is made about 4-6 cm above the heel, depending on where the rupture has occurred, and the surgeon will locate the base of the ruptured tendon and secure this with suture. The Achillon device is inserted upwards such that the two flanges are either side of the upper part of the tendon and these are then closed around the tendon. Using the needle guide holes sutures are inserted through the skin and in through the tendon. The device is then retracted drawing down the tendon with the sutures. The surgeon is then able to reattach both ends of the tendon using the sutures that have already been introduced.
This procedure is performed as a day case under local anaesthetic and sedation, so the patient normally can return home the same day. You will be fitted with a support boot which will be required to be worn for around 4 weeks.
There will be a comprehensive, tailored rehabilitation programme and in most cases, patients are back to normal day to day activities within 3 months, for those with specific sporting interests it may take slightly longer to return to full normal sporting activity.
