Surgical repair of ruptured Achilles tendon in sportsmen and sedentary patients: a longitudinal ultrasound assessment.

Ultrasound scanning was performed at different postoperative times on a total of 22 patients who underwent an end-to-end suture using absorbable material following a full thickness subcutaneous rupture of their Achilles tendon. All ultrasonic examinations were performed using a 5 MHz sectorial probe. The parameters taken into account were the size of the tendon, its borders and echographic pattern, the possible surgical sequelae, and residual pathology. Moreover, maximal isometric voluntary contraction, isometric endurance, and toe raising were tested. The patients' personal postoperative condition and satisfaction was also assessed. The operated tendon remained of increased thickness 9 months after surgery, and the suture material, although absorbable, was still visible on ultrasound scans at that time. Diagnostic ultrasonography can be used as a guide for physiotherapy in patients undergoing surgery for rupture of the Achilles tendon.