Surgical repair of achilles tendon ruptures using polypropylene braid augmentation.

Abstract

Surgical repair in fresh rupture of the Achilles tendon should be considered in active patients and athletes to restore their preinjury level of activity. Fifteen cases of Achilles tendon rupture underwent surgical repair using interpositional augmentation. This technique provides an immediate mechanical strength of the repair, avoiding the need for a postoperative plaster cast and allowing immediate motion of the ankle. No wound infection, scar adherence of the skin to the tendon, or rerupture of the tendon is present in this series. All patients were subjectively satisfied with the results and returned to their preinjury level of activity. Objectively, isokinetic assessment revealed no significant difference, as per t-test evaluation (P < .05), between the operated leg and the controlateral one.