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Review
. 2011 Sep;84(3):289-300.

Achilles tendon rupture: avoiding tendon lengthening during surgical repair and rehabilitation

Javier Maquirriain  1
Affiliations
Review

Achilles tendon rupture: avoiding tendon lengthening during surgical repair and rehabilitation

Javier Maquirriain. Yale J Biol Med. 2011 Sep.

Abstract

Achilles tendon rupture is a serious injury for which the best treatment is still controversial. Its primary goal should be to restore normal length and tension, thus obtaining an optimal function. Tendon elongation correlates significantly with clinical outcome; lengthening is an important cause of morbidity and may produce permanent functional impairment. In this article, we review all factors that may influence the repair, including the type of surgical technique, suture material, and rehabilitation program, among many others.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The effect of original length of tendon on the shape of the force elongation curve. (adapted from Curwin SL. The aetiology and treatment of tendinitis. In: Harries M, Williams C, Stanish WD, Micheli LJ, editors. Oxford Textbook of Sports Medicine. New York: Oxford University Press; 1994, p 516).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The “Gift-box” technique for Achilles tendon repair. Sutures are tied away from the rupture site (arrows).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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MeSH terms

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