No abstract

Twenty-one patients with surgically repaired Achilles tendon tears that were treated postoperatively with a functional orthosis rather than routine cast immobilization were evaluated. The orthosis allowed unrestricted plantar flexion and limited dorsiflexion to neutral. Toe-touch weightbearing crutch ambulation was allowed immediately and was gradually increased over the 6 to 8 weeks of treatment. Of the 21 patients, 14 were men and 7 were women; the average age at injury was 35.6 years (range, 19 to 65). The minimum followup was 2 years, with an average of 31 months. The repairs were acute in 18 of the patients and chronic in 3. Subjectively, 16 patients felt they returned to their preinjury level of activity and only 1 was not satisfied with his result. Objectively, there were no significant alterations in ankle range of motion when compared to the contralateral limb, with plantar flexion unchanged and dorsiflexion increased an average of only 2 degrees. The average plantar flexion and dorsiflexion strength, power, and endurance of the ankles as measured by isokinetic testing revealed no significant differences when comparing the operated leg to the nonoperated side: strength, 99% and 93%, respectively; power, 98% and 96%, respectively; and endurance, 93% and 91%, respectively. The angles at which the peak torques occurred were similarly not statistically different. Two patients had superficial wound infections, and 1 had scar adherence of the skin to the tendon. No one had rerupture of the tendon. In conclusion, while the many benefits of postoperative early motion are well proven, there has been hesitation to implement this after Achilles tendon surgery due to the concern of compromising the repair. As shown by this study, early controlled motion can safely and effectively be used following Achilles tendon repair in the motivated, reliable patient.

No abstract

The efficacy of electrothermal collagen shrinkage in the treatment of patients with anterior cruciate ligament laxity was evaluated. Eighteen patients who had continuity of the anterior cruciate ligament but had symptomatic laxity were treated with arthroscopic electrothermal shrinkage of the anterior cruciate ligament using a monopolar radiofrequency probe. The mean length of follow-up in patients whose stability was maintained was 20.5 months. Seven of the patients had undergone previous reconstruction, four with patellar tendon graft and three with quadrupled hamstring tendon graft. Laxity was chronic in nine patients and acute in nine. The KT-1000 arthrometer results at 1 month postoperatively revealed decreased anterior excursion, with an average side-to-side difference of 1.9 mm. However, 11 patients had a failed result at an average 4.0 months. Of the seven patients with successful results, six had native ligaments and had been treated for acute laxity and one had a patellar tendon graft and had been treated for chronic laxity. Even with the short-term follow-up in our study, it is evident that thermal shrinkage using radiofrequency technology has limited application for patients with anterior cruciate ligament laxity. Although it may be useful in treating patients with an acutely injured native anterior cruciate ligament, further study is needed to see if the ligament stretches out over time or is at increased risk of reinjury.