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Anatomic Evaluation of Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Phillips, S; Shah, A; Staggers, JR; Pinto, M; Godoy-Santos, AL; Naranje, S; de Cesar Netto, C
Published in: Foot Ankle Int
April 2018

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening (TAL) using a triple hemisection technique and the improvement in ankle dorsiflexion. METHODS: Ten fresh-frozen above-knee cadaveric specimens were used. A percutaneous triple hemisection of the Achilles tendon (proximal, intermediate, and distal) was performed. Maximum ankle dorsiflexion was evaluated pre- and postprocedure with a digital goniometer. After proper dissection, the relative width of the cuts was noted. Following forced ankle dorsiflexion, displacement in the tensile gaps was measured in all 3 cuts with a precision digital caliper. RESULTS: The overall relative width of the percutaneous cut was 51.3% ± 16.3% of the Achilles tendon diameter, 44.3% ± 13.6% for the proximal cut, 50.3% ± 15.6% for the intermediate cut, and 59.3% ± 18.4% for the distal cut. Tendon excursion averaged 13.0 ± 3.8 mm for the proximal cuts, 12.5 ± 4.7 mm for the intermediate cuts, and 8.2 ± 3.7 mm for the distal cuts. One cadaver had a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon and was excluded from the excursion data analysis. The mean range of motion for ankle dorsiflexion was 8.1 ± 3.9 degrees preprocedure and 27.6 ± 5.3 degrees postprocedure. The dorsiflexion angle significantly increased ( P < .0001) at an average of 19.5 ± 5.0 degrees following TAL. CONCLUSION: Our cadaveric study demonstrated that the percutaneous triple hemisection of the Achilles was an accurate technique that provided successful lengthening of the tendon and increased ankle dorsiflexion. Complete ruptures are possible complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our cadaveric study showed that in a clinical situation, triple hemisections of the Achilles tendon can be performed reliably, with significant improvement of the ankle dorsiflexion, mainly through increased tendon excursion at the proximal and intermediate cuts, and with low risk of complete ruptures.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Foot Ankle Int

DOI

EISSN

1944-7876

Publication Date

April 2018

Volume

39

Issue

4

Start / End Page

500 / 505

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tenotomy
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Orthopedics
  • Knee Joint
  • Humans
  • Dissection
  • Cadaver
  • Ankle Joint
  • Achilles Tendon
  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Phillips, S., Shah, A., Staggers, J. R., Pinto, M., Godoy-Santos, A. L., Naranje, S., & de Cesar Netto, C. (2018). Anatomic Evaluation of Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening. Foot Ankle Int, 39(4), 500–505. https://doi.org/10.1177/1071100717745559
Phillips, Sierra, Ashish Shah, Jackson Rucker Staggers, Martim Pinto, Alexandre Leme Godoy-Santos, Sameer Naranje, and Cesar de Cesar Netto. “Anatomic Evaluation of Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening.Foot Ankle Int 39, no. 4 (April 2018): 500–505. https://doi.org/10.1177/1071100717745559.
Phillips S, Shah A, Staggers JR, Pinto M, Godoy-Santos AL, Naranje S, et al. Anatomic Evaluation of Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening. Foot Ankle Int. 2018 Apr;39(4):500–5.
Phillips, Sierra, et al. “Anatomic Evaluation of Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening.Foot Ankle Int, vol. 39, no. 4, Apr. 2018, pp. 500–05. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/1071100717745559.
Phillips S, Shah A, Staggers JR, Pinto M, Godoy-Santos AL, Naranje S, de Cesar Netto C. Anatomic Evaluation of Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Lengthening. Foot Ankle Int. 2018 Apr;39(4):500–505.
Journal cover image

Published In

Foot Ankle Int

DOI

EISSN

1944-7876

Publication Date

April 2018

Volume

39

Issue

4

Start / End Page

500 / 505

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tenotomy
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Orthopedics
  • Knee Joint
  • Humans
  • Dissection
  • Cadaver
  • Ankle Joint
  • Achilles Tendon
  • 1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences