Immediate weight bearing after modified percutaneous Achilles tendon repair.

Abstract

Controversy exists regarding postoperative treatment of Achilles tendon repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of immediate weight bearing following modified percutaneous Achilles tendon repair using readily available materials. Fifty-two patients who were treated at a single center from 2000 to 2009 underwent percutaneous Achilles tendon repair by a single surgeon and were allowed immediate weight bearing. They were followed for on average of 2 years postoperatively and evaluated with functional and subjective outcomes. The average American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale was 96 points (range, 81 to 100), with 95% confidence interval ranging from 89.1 to 102.9. Subjective evaluation demonstrated that 47 patients (90%) were able to return to a desired level of activity, with an overall complication rate of 11.5%. Immediate weight bearing after percutaneous Achilles tendon repair had a low overall complication rate with good clinical and functional outcomes.