J Arnal-Burró1, D López-Capapé2, C Igualada-Blázquez3, A Ortiz-Espada2, A Martín-García4. 1. Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. Electronic address: juanarnal@hotmail.com. 2. Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Clínica CEMTRO, Madrid, España. 3. Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, España. 4. Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid, España.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To present the surgical technique with release of peritendon and radiofrequency as an effective treatment for athletes with chronic tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon body. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series descriptive type study. The series consists of 17 Achilles tendon surgeries in 13 patients, who habitually run. The study included patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy refractory to conservative treatments. After a minimum follow-up of 12 months, clinical improvement of the athletes was assessed using the Nirschl pain scale, as well as athletic performance. RESULTS: An improvement was obtained in 94% of symptoms and a return to the previous performance in of 70% of cases in the 12 months follow-up. DISCUSSION: Peritendon release combined with bipolar radiofrequency is presented as an effective solution in this condition, for which there is currently no consensus on the best treatment. In patients in whom, after an appropriate conservative treatment for a sufficient period (at least 6 months) the non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy persists, open adhesiolysis combined with bipolar radiofrequency is a safe and with a high success rate clinical and functional intervention. In high performance athletes this technique allows a return to previous activity in a high percentage of cases.
OBJECTIVE: To present the surgical technique with release of peritendon and radiofrequency as an effective treatment for athletes with chronic tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon body. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series descriptive type study. The series consists of 17 Achilles tendon surgeries in 13 patients, who habitually run. The study included patients with non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy refractory to conservative treatments. After a minimum follow-up of 12 months, clinical improvement of the athletes was assessed using the Nirschl pain scale, as well as athletic performance. RESULTS: An improvement was obtained in 94% of symptoms and a return to the previous performance in of 70% of cases in the 12 months follow-up. DISCUSSION: Peritendon release combined with bipolar radiofrequency is presented as an effective solution in this condition, for which there is currently no consensus on the best treatment. In patients in whom, after an appropriate conservative treatment for a sufficient period (at least 6 months) the non-insertional Achilles tendinopathy persists, open adhesiolysis combined with bipolar radiofrequency is a safe and with a high success rate clinical and functional intervention. In high performance athletes this technique allows a return to previous activity in a high percentage of cases.