Editorial Commentary: Is Endoscopy Really Helpful During Repair of Acute Rupture of the Achilles Tendon?

Abstract

Endoscopically assisted Achilles tendon repair is an attractive minimally invasive approach to reduce the risk of sural nerve injury. However, I do not believe that endoscopy is necessary for all types of minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair. Endoscopy is only helpful to make suture passage through the proximal lateral portal safe. It cannot help to reduce the risk of sural nerve injury if the tendon is repaired with percutaneous locking sutures. Abandonment of the proximal lateral portal and development of "all-inside" endoscopic repair of the Achilles tendon with locking sutures should be the future goal.