Contribution to the diagnosis and therapy of the ruptured Achilles tendon

: In subcutaneous rupture of an Achilles tendon, surgery is the only proper treatment. In fresh ruptures an ordinary suture of the tendon is sufficient; in obsolete ruptures besides a routine suture, an additional plastic operation is necessary: by a tendon of long plantar muscle, by a graft of the skin korium, by lyophilized dura mater, or by folding over plastic. Postoperatively the leg is immobilized in a plaster, achieving maximal plantar flexion of the foot in 3-4 weeks, and still as much time for the foot to reach its physiological position. In this way a patient with obsolete rupture of the Achilles tendon has been treated; an aseptic fistula appeared postoperatively with removal of the stitches, but cured after 7 weeks, while the disability lasted for 12 weeks. The follow-up showed a complete reconstruction of the Achilles tendon.