Foot Ankle Int. 2021 May 24:10711007211003871. doi: 10.1177/10711007211003871. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: No studies have compared early vs conventional postoperative weightbearing following suture bridge Achilles tendon reattachment. We, therefore, evaluated postoperative functional outcomes in these patients.
METHODS: We collected data on 49 patients who underwent surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy using a central Achilles tendon-splitting approach and reattachment with suture bridge technique by a single surgeon. Functional outcomes were measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The differences in outcomes were analyzed using multiple linear regression.
RESULTS: Eighteen and 31 patients underwent the conventional and accelerated protocols, respectively; their corresponding mean ages were similar, 53 and 57 years, as were all other baseline characteristics. The mean scores (conventional vs accelerated group) for VAS for pain, FAAM, and SF-36 in the conventional group at 3 months postoperatively were 4 ± 1 vs 3 ± 1 points, 53 ± 8 vs 68 ± 3 points, and 57 ± 15 vs 67 ± 10 points (P < .05 for each comparison). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. All patients could perform the single heel raise test at 6 months, and none experienced complications.
CONCLUSION: In this small study, short-term functional outcomes were better in the accelerated group. More data are needed before the accelerated program can be recommended.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, prospective comparative study.
PMID:34024153 | DOI:10.1177/10711007211003871
