Treatment of Neglected Achilles Tendon Ruptures with Interpositional Allograft.

Abstract

Although most astute clinicians can diagnose Achilles tendon ruptures by physical examination alone, more than 20% are not accurately diagnosed in a timely fashion. The definition of a "chronic" Achilles tendon rupture in foot and ankle literature varies widely: from 4 to 10 weeks status after injury. Neglected or chronic Achilles tendon ruptures can be significantly disabling to patients if the muscle-tendon unit is stretched beyond its normal passive limit. There are a variety of treatment options that all have valid uses but have not been proven to be superior to one another.