Carlos De la Fuente1, Carlos Cruz-Montecinos2, Helen L Schimidt3, Hugo Henríquez4, Sebastián Ruidiaz4, Felipe P Carpes5. 1. Facultad Ciencias de la Rehabilitacion, Universidad Andres Bello, #7591538 Santiago, Chile; Carrera de Kinesiología, UDA Ciencias de la Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica, #7820436 Santiago, Chile. 2. Laboratory of Clinical Biomechanics, Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, #8380453 Santiago, Chile; Laboratory of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, San José Hospital, #8380419 Santiago, Chile. 3. Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus Uruguaiana, #97508000 Uruguaiana, Brazil. 4. Servicio de Tobillo y Pie, Instituto Traumatológico, #8340220 Santiago, Chile. 5. Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus Uruguaiana, #97508000 Uruguaiana, Brazil. Electronic address: carpes@unipampa.edu.br.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Dresden technique preserves the paratenon during Achilles tendon repair and may improve the plantarflexor mechanism when combined with mobilization during early rehabilitation. However, the surgical repair design for Achilles tendon ruptures can affect rates of re-rupture or lengthening. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the biomechanical properties of the Krackow, Double-Kessler, Double-Dresden, and Triple-Dresden techniques used for repairing mid-substance Achilles tendon ruptures during cyclical and maximum traction. METHODS: Sixty mid-substance bovine tendons repaired after transverse rupturing were divided randomly into four groups by repair technique: Krackow, Double-Kessler, Double-Dresden, and Triple-Dresden. Cyclical tractions of 4.7, 5.8, 7.9, and 11.7mm (equivalent to 5°, 8°, 10°, and 15° of dorsal flexion, respectively) were applied to determine gapping, tensile strength, nominal suture stress, repair deformation, and specimens with clinical failure (gap>5mm). Maximal traction was applied to measure maximum strength and failure type (i.e. suture, knot, or tendon). FINDINGS: The Triple-Dresden technique resulted in decreased gapping, nominal suture stress, repair deformation, and quantity of specimens with clinical failure as compared to the other techniques. Furthermore, Triple-Dresden tendons showed greater comparative tensile and maximum strength. During maximal traction testing, this technique presented tendon failure, whereas the Krackow, Double-Kessler, and Double-Dresden techniques had suture failures. INTERPRETATION: Triple-Dresden repair results in better cyclical and maximum traction strengths, suggesting that this technique might be more appropriate when performing early mobilization after mid-substance Achilles tendon rupture repair.
BACKGROUND: The Dresden technique preserves the paratenon during Achilles tendon repair and may improve the plantarflexor mechanism when combined with mobilization during early rehabilitation. However, the surgical repair design for Achilles tendon ruptures can affect rates of re-rupture or lengthening. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the biomechanical properties of the Krackow, Double-Kessler, Double-Dresden, and Triple-Dresden techniques used for repairing mid-substance Achilles tendon ruptures during cyclical and maximum traction. METHODS: Sixty mid-substance bovine tendons repaired after transverse rupturing were divided randomly into four groups by repair technique: Krackow, Double-Kessler, Double-Dresden, and Triple-Dresden. Cyclical tractions of 4.7, 5.8, 7.9, and 11.7mm (equivalent to 5°, 8°, 10°, and 15° of dorsal flexion, respectively) were applied to determine gapping, tensile strength, nominal suture stress, repair deformation, and specimens with clinical failure (gap>5mm). Maximal traction was applied to measure maximum strength and failure type (i.e. suture, knot, or tendon). FINDINGS: The Triple-Dresden technique resulted in decreased gapping, nominal suture stress, repair deformation, and quantity of specimens with clinical failure as compared to the other techniques. Furthermore, Triple-Dresden tendons showed greater comparative tensile and maximum strength. During maximal traction testing, this technique presented tendon failure, whereas the Krackow, Double-Kessler, and Double-Dresden techniques had suture failures. INTERPRETATION: Triple-Dresden repair results in better cyclical and maximum traction strengths, suggesting that this technique might be more appropriate when performing early mobilization after mid-substance Achilles tendon rupture repair.
Authors: Atesch Ateschrang; Christoph Salewski; Marc-Daniel Ahrend; Anna Janine Schreiner; Michael T Hirschmann; Ulrich Stöckle; Sufian S Ahmad Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2018-05-14 Impact factor: 4.342