A Regenerated Achilles Tendon with Good Function One Year After Total Extirpation Due to Infection - A Case Report.

Achilles rupture Achilles tendon infection regeneration tendinopathy

Journal

International medical case reports journal
ISSN: 1179-142X
Titre abrégé: Int Med Case Rep J
Pays: New Zealand
ID NLM: 101566269

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
2022
Historique:
received: 01 02 2022
accepted: 24 03 2022
entrez: 2 5 2022
pubmed: 3 5 2022
medline: 3 5 2022
Statut: epublish

Résumé

Delayed Achilles tendon ruptures leaving large defects are difficult to treat, and the potential for tendon regeneration is thought to be limited. Furthermore, post-operative wound healing problems, sometimes including infections, can be challenging to treat and negatively affect rehabilitation. This 74-year-old lady suffered from insertional Achilles tendinopathy. After treatment with a local cortisone injection, she sustained a total insertional Achilles tendon rupture. This rupture was treated conservatively, and after treatment the Achilles re-ruptured in the insertional area. The rupture was then treated with re-insertion into the calcaneal insertion. Early in the post-operative period the patient sustained a deep surgical wound infection and sepsis. Because of poor effect of treatment with antibiotics, and total tendon destruction, the whole Achilles was extirpated. After extirpation there was immobilization in a cast followed by mobilization and gradually increased loading. At a one-year follow-up, the patient was walking without a limp, could do heel-raise halfway up standing on one leg, there was a palpable Achilles tendon and ultrasound scanning showed a structure very similar to a slightly thickened and tendinopathic Achilles tendon. There was an obvious regeneration of the whole Achilles tendon, and the tendon function was surprisingly good. This case study clearly shows the regeneration potential in the Achilles tendon and provides significant knowledge of importance for clinicians dealing with Achilles tendon injuries.

Sections du résumé

Background UNASSIGNED
Delayed Achilles tendon ruptures leaving large defects are difficult to treat, and the potential for tendon regeneration is thought to be limited. Furthermore, post-operative wound healing problems, sometimes including infections, can be challenging to treat and negatively affect rehabilitation.
Case Presentation UNASSIGNED
This 74-year-old lady suffered from insertional Achilles tendinopathy. After treatment with a local cortisone injection, she sustained a total insertional Achilles tendon rupture. This rupture was treated conservatively, and after treatment the Achilles re-ruptured in the insertional area. The rupture was then treated with re-insertion into the calcaneal insertion. Early in the post-operative period the patient sustained a deep surgical wound infection and sepsis. Because of poor effect of treatment with antibiotics, and total tendon destruction, the whole Achilles was extirpated. After extirpation there was immobilization in a cast followed by mobilization and gradually increased loading. At a one-year follow-up, the patient was walking without a limp, could do heel-raise halfway up standing on one leg, there was a palpable Achilles tendon and ultrasound scanning showed a structure very similar to a slightly thickened and tendinopathic Achilles tendon. There was an obvious regeneration of the whole Achilles tendon, and the tendon function was surprisingly good.
Conclusion UNASSIGNED
This case study clearly shows the regeneration potential in the Achilles tendon and provides significant knowledge of importance for clinicians dealing with Achilles tendon injuries.

Identifiants

pubmed: 35495369
doi: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S360704
pii: 360704
pmc: PMC9041784
doi:

Types de publication

Case Reports

Langues

eng

Pagination

219-223

Informations de copyright

© 2022 Granath et al.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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Auteurs

Martin Granath (M)

Orthopaedic Department, Hässleholm Hospital, Hässleholm, Sweden.

Pär Hedlund (P)

Orthopaedic Department, Hässleholm Hospital, Hässleholm, Sweden.

Christoph Spang (C)

Private Orthopaedic Spine Center, Würzburg, Germany.

Håkan Alfredson (H)

Institute of Sports Exercise and Health, University College Hospital London, London, UK.
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, 90187, Sweden.

Classifications MeSH