Management of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures-A review

Abstract

Achilles tendon ruptures are increasingly common yet up to a fifth of them are undiagnosed after medical consultation. Those undiagnosed will become chronic ruptures causing considerable functional morbidity and represent a challenge to the treating doctor. The purpose of this article is to discuss the presentation and management of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures. Due to the paucity of data, evidence-based recommendations are unavailable. A number of different surgical techniques are presented and a working algorithm is described to aid in the treatment of these lesions.

Keywords: Achilles tendon; Chronic rupture; Orthotics; Tendon reconstruction; Tendon transfer.