The subcutaneous Achilles tendon rupture: comparison of three surgical techniques

Abstract The authors report their experience with subcutaneous Achilles tendon rupture: its frequency, the morbidity of the different surgical treatments and the related results at different periods of time from the end of treatment. The study population consists of 55 patients who were treated in the Orthopedic and Traumatologic Clinic of the University of Padova from 1994 to 2000. Twenty-four patients were treated with heavy suture of Silverskiold, modified by Vigliani; 22 with end-to-end ‘placed' suture; and 9 with the modified percutaneous suture according to Ma and Griffith. All 55 patients have been seen with an average follow-up of 3 years and 6 months (range from 1 year to 5 years and 9 months) from surgery. The results have been satisfactory in all the patients with the same score, regardless of the surgical technique applied. Of the three main surgical techniques examined, the one with the least morbidity is the end-to-end ‘placed' suture.