Factors Associated With Calf Muscle Endurance Recovery 1 Year After Achilles Tendon Rupture Repair

Abstract

Study Design Cohort study. Objectives To describe calf muscle endurance recovery and to explore factors predictive of poor calf muscle endurance recovery 1 year after surgical repair of an Achilles tendon rupture (ATR). Background ATR is a common sports-related injury and is often managed with open surgical repair. After ATR repair most patients return to usual activities 6 months after surgery. However, calf endurance impairment can persist up to 6 years, possibly impacting performance of daily activities and sport. Methods A secondary analysis of a 73-patient cohort from a randomized controlled trial assessing the effects of early weight bearing after surgical repair of an ATR was performed. Calf muscle endurance recovery was measured by single-heel raises using a customized counting device at 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Descriptive statistics were used to outline recovery of calf muscle endurance. Physical and patient-reported outcomes were examined for their association with calf-muscle endurance recovery. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore variables associated with recovery of calf endurance 1 year postoperatively. Results Mean recovery of calf muscle endurance was 76% at 1 year. Multivariate regression analysis showed an association of being female, reporting no resting pain at 3 months, and physical functioning and calf endurance at 6 months, with better recovery of calf endurance at 1 year. Conclusions Calf muscle endurance at 1 year remained impaired in a considerable portion of the sample. Pain, gender, and physical functioning are likely important factors in determining recovery of calf muscle endurance. Level of Evidence Prognosis, level 2b. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2010;40(6):345–351. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3204

Platelet-rich plasma injection for adults with acute Achilles tendon rupture: the PATH-2 RCT

“…In the PATH-2 trial, we used and assessed a single PRP preparation system based on a previous study 86 to standardise the procedure. There are three methods to prepare PRP: (1) gravitational platelet sequestration or centrifugation, (2) standard cell separators and (3) selective filtration technology or plateletpheresis.…”

Return to play post-Achilles tendon rupture: a systematic review and meta-analysis of rate and measures of return to play

“…Rupture of the Achilles tendon leads to muscle weakness[17] and decreased endurance[18], which persists to 10 years following injury[19–22]. Performance of higher-level activities, such as those required for return to play (RTP), also demonstrate large variations between individuals[17].…”

“…14 16 There have been a variety of proposed reasons that may contribute to why not all patients are able to return to play. Rupture of the Achilles tendon leads to muscle weakness 17 and decreased endurance, 18 which persists to 10 years following injury. [19][20][21][22] Performance of higher level activities, such as those required for return to play (RTP), also demonstrate large variations between individuals.…”

Procollagen markers in microdialysate can predict patient outcome after Achilles tendon rupture

“…[1][2][3] One reason for the difficulties in improving the intervention and treatment of ATR is a lack of early markers that can be used to predict the healing progress and the long-term outcome. 4 During the last decade, a method to assess the healing progression of ATR was developed by using a microdialysis technique, 5 in which a small catheter is placed in the metabolically active part of the tendon, that is, the paratenon.…”