J Korean Foot Ankle Soc.  2015 Sep;19(3):114-117. 10.14193/jkfas.2015.19.3.114.

Treatment of Massive Defect in Achilles Tendon with Tendon Allograft: A Case Report

• Lee JW
• Kim MJ
• Ahn JH
• Byun CH

• KMID: 2045015
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14193/jkfas.2015.19.3.114

Abstract

Deep infection of Achilles tendon is one of the serious complications that occur after open repair of the tendon. It sometimes leads to a very large tendon defect during the course of treatment. We report on a case of massive defect in Achilles tendon, which was successfully treated with Achilles tendon allograft and flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer.

Keyword

Achilles tendon; Deep infection; Open repair; Achilles tendon allograft; Flexor hallucis longus

MeSH Terms

Achilles Tendon*
Allografts*
Tendon Transfer
Tendons*

Figure

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  Figure 1. Photograph of both lower leg of 43-year-old male patient showed moderate atrophy of his right calf. He could not fully weight bear on his right foot.

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  Figure 2. T2-weighted fat-suppression sagittal magnetic resonance imaging showed the large gap in the Achilles tendon. The proximal and distal tendon ends were marked by arrows.

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  Figure 3. (A) Intraoperative photograph showed 8 cm long large gap between the proximal and distal tendon ends. (B) Achilles tendon allograft was placed into the large gap of the tendon. (C) Achilles tendon allograft was sutured to the proximal and distal tendon ends. Flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer was also performed to augment the repair.

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  Figure 4. (A) Ultrasonographic image at postoperative 1 year and 3 months showed well healed allograft tendon. (B) The patient had no discomfort in his daily activities, and could perform single heel rise posture without any difficulty.

Reference

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