Prognostic Factors in Outcome of Operative Treatment of Achilles Tendon Rupture

Lee, Kwang Suk; Park, Sang Won; Park, Jong Woong; Oh, Kwang Joon

Abstract

PURPOSE: We have evaluated the outcome of the operative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture and analyzed the prognostic factors related to the results.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Subjective assessment of symptoms, range of ankle motion and isokinetic ankle strength was performed on 50 patients during a 1-year follow up. We used a clinical scoring system reported by Leppilahti et al to evaluate the results.
RESULTS
The overall results were excellent in 18 (36%), and good in 16 (32%), fair in 10 (20%), and poor in 6 (12%) cases. Lower activity level (P<0.001), presence of systemic disease (P<0.001), later return to physical exercise (P=0.044), and previous Achilles tendon symptoms (P=0.015) were associated with unsatisfactory strength results. An older age (P<0.001) and later return to strenuous activities (P=0.005) were associated with unsuccessful overall results.
CONCLUSIONS
We think that a clinical scoring system, including subjective and objective assessment, is good protocol to find the prognostic factors related to the results after the operative treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. The patient group with poor prognostic factors present a challenge for rehabilitation.