ABSTRACT
Objective: This study reports long-term effects of chronic Achilles tendon rupture treatment, using reconstruction with peroneus brevis transfer (PBT), on sports activities based on an approximate 10-year follow-up study.
Methods: Twenty patients (6 women and 14 men; mean age, 43 ± 12.85 years at the time of operation) underwent chronic Achilles tendon repair with an average follow-up of 164.05 ± 5.07 months. Seven were involved in competitive sports, 10 participated in recreational activities and three were not involved in any sporting activities. All patients were Asians. Results were assessed using Cybex strength testing and the American Othopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score, the muscle manual test (MMT), sports activities and comprehensive satisfaction assessment.
Results: Cybex strength testing resulted in an average gain of 87.05 ± 14.83% in dorsiflexion strength (range 65–110%) and 98.05 ± 9.02% in plantar flexion strength (range 85%–120%). The AOFAS score average was 86.9 ± 7.27. There were no postoperative re-ruptures, no recurrences and no wound complications. Plantar flexion strength and the AOFAS score were negatively correlated with the age at the time of operation (r = −0.566, r = -0.669, respectively). Seventeen patients (85%) were level five of MMT in eversion strength. Following treatment, six patients (30%) returned to competitive sports, while 10 (50%) who, prior to the injury and surgery, were involved in recreational activities, returned to similar activities. The relatively younger group tended to continue sport activities as competitive athletes (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed in age at the operation between nonsatisfaction group and excellent group (p < 0.05). The under 40-year age group tended to show a poor value.
Conclusion: Recreational athletes and non-athletes could return to their sports activities satisfactorily, while young competitive athletes found difficulties in certain actions, especially related to eversion.
