Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of surgery for chronic Achilles tendinitis. 27 competitive athletes (17-56 y) and 21 noncompetitive athletes (20-65 y) were studied. The average duration of preoperative symptoms was 2.7 y (range 0.25-14 y) for the competitive athletes and 4.0 y (range 0.5-27 y) for the noncompetitive athletes. In all cases, conservative treatment failed as assessed by severity of pain and extent of disability. Surgical procedures included: tenolysis (A), n=20; tenolysis, excision of the posterior aspect of the os calcis, and the retrocalcaneal bursa (B), n=25; and tenolysis and excision of the retrocalcaneal bursa only (C), n=3. The average length of follow-up was 52 mo (range 15-96 mo). The criteria for assessment of recovery were based on the degree to which the patients were able to return to their preinjury activity level. With a complete absence of pain, the result was considered excellent. Where occasional but minor symptoms persisted, the result was termed good. Using these criteria, procedure A was associated with a 95% success rate while procedures B and C (pooled because of small n) were associated with a 93% success rate. The average time for all patients to return to their preinjury level of activity was 22+-12 wk following procedure A, 29+-16 wk following procedure B, and 32+-19 wk following procedure C. The time to "full activity" for all patients was significantly longer following procedure B compared with procedure A. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)