The use of the Ma-Griffith technique for percutaneous repair of fresh ruptured tendo Achillis.

All patients treated for a rupture of the Achilles tendon by the technique of percutaneous repair were identified from a five year period up to 1987. A review of the patients and results of this technique was undertaken using a clinical grading system. Review was conducted between 18 and 81 months following the injury. Of 38 patients followed up, 71% achieved good results and only 8% poor results. The re-rupture rate for this series was 8%. Sural nerve involvement (13%) was found to be a troublesome complication. During the period under study, a modification to the technique was introduced which abolished this complication. We present our results and describe the modification to the technique. The importance of the use of nonabsorbable sutures is emphasized.