by Robert Fridman, DPM, AACFAS1
, Fred Rahimi, DPM, FACFAS2, Paul Lucas, DPM, FACFAS3, Rob Daugherty, DPM, AACFAS4, Heidi Hoffmann, DPM5
The Foot & Ankle Journal 1 (5): 2
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of polypropylene mesh as an alternative to autogenous grafts and/or tendon transfers for neglected Achilles tendon rupture. Twelve patients with neglected Achilles tendon rupture underwent surgical repair using monofilament polypropylene mesh graft from 1999-2003. The average follow-up was 1.5 years. All patients were placed in a non-weight bearing, below-knee cast for 3 weeks, followed by 3 weeks of partial weight bearing in walking boot. All patients healed uneventfully, with three patients complaining of mild pain, one of moderate pain, and five with stiffness that resolved with physical therapy. The adjunctive use of monofilament polypropylene mesh is an appropriate method for the treatment of neglected Achilles tendon ruptures.
Key words: Achilles Tendon Rupture, Achilles Tendon Repair, Marlex ® Mesh
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. It permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ©The Foot & Ankle Journal (www.faoj.org)
Accepted: April 1, 2008
Published: May 1, 2008
ISSN 1941-6806
doi: 10.3827/faoj.2008.0105.0002
Degeneration, tendon contracture, and a high re-rupture rate are frequent sources of failure in non-operative treatment of neglected Achilles tendon ruptures. [1] Bosworth previously noted that retraction of the gastrocnemius-soleus complex may occur within three days of injury, making re-approximation of the tendon ends difficult. [2] Current clinical practice supports surgical repair of the tendon in this condition. End-to-end [3], percutaneous [4] and limited-open repairs [5] may not be as effective in neglected ruptures due to excessive tendon contracture and degeneration of the tendon ends.
Therefore, tendon augmentation is routinely employed in cases of neglected rupture. The flexor hallucis longus tendon is most commonly used to augment reconstruction. [6,7,8] Mann and others described using the tendon of the flexor digitorum longus as a graft. [9] Fascia lata, [10] peroneus brevis, [11] gracilis, [12] and plantaris [13] tendon grafts have also been described in the literature.
Synthetic grafts may also be used to augment the surgical repair in situations where surrounding autogenous tissues are weak or unable to span the defect. The advantages of synthetic grafts over autogenous grafts include absent donor site morbidity and unlimited material available for sizable defects.
A distinct disadvantage of synthetic grafts is possible foreign body reaction after implantation. Dacron® vascular graft, [14] carbon fiber composites, [15] collagen tendon prosthesis, [16] and GraftJacket® [17] have all been described as alternatives to autogenous grafts. Ozaki, et al, reported that polypropylene mesh had little to no tissue reaction when implanted during rotator cuff repair [18] and subsequently used this material for repair of Achilles tendon with satisfactory results. [19] This case study reports on a series of neglected Achilles ruptures repaired with Marlex ® polypropylene mesh.
Materials and Methods
Twelve patients with neglected Achilles tendon rupture were treated surgically by the same surgeon using Marlex ® polypropylene mesh (Davol Inc., Rhode Island, USA) as described by Ozaki, et al. The diagnosis of neglected Achilles tendon rupture was based on history, clinical and MRI findings.
Neglected tears were defined as a closed rupture of 10 or more days duration without previous surgical treatment for the affected tendon. MRI findings were all indicitive for complete rupture of the Achilles tendon with fatty degeneration. (Fig.1)
Figure 1 MRI of neglected rupture of Achilles tendon shows significant gapping and degeneration of tendon ends.
The average patient age was 52.5 years (range = 31 to 70 years). There were 8 males and 4 females included in the study, with an average follow-up period of 1.5 years (range = 0.5 – 4 years). Table 1 summarizes the demographic data.
TABLE 1 Demographics of 12 patients with neglected Achilles tendon rupture.
Patients were either contacted by telephone or interviewed in the clinic. A modified VISA-A Questionnaire was used for clinical evaluation.20 (Table 2)
TABLE 2 The modified VISA-A (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles) Questionnaire.
Surgical Procedure
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia with a pneumatic thigh tourniquet. Both lower extremities are prepped and draped, so as to have an appropriate reference point when tensioning the repaired tendon. Prophylactic antibiotics are given prior to inflating the tourniquet. The patient is positioned prone and local anesthetic is infiltrated into the surgical site. A posteromedial incision is made along the Achilles tendon extending proximally and distally past the defect (Fig. 2).
Figure 2 A posteromedial incision is made along the Achilles tendon extending proximally and distally past the defect.
The sural nerve is retracted laterally, and the paratenon is incised and tagged for later closure. The ruptured ends of the tendon are identified, and fibrotic and/or degenerated tendon is excised (Fig. 3).
Figure 3 The ruptured ends of the tendon are identified and degenerated tendon is removed.
The tendon ends are prepared for insertion into the mesh graft by incising the tendon 2-3 cm in the frontal plane. The mesh is prepared by tri-folding it to a slightly smaller width than the tendon itself. The folds are secured with 3-0 non-absorbable suture (Fig. 4).
Figure 4 The mesh is prepared by folding it 3 times to a slightly smaller width than the tendon itself. The folds are secured with 3-0 non-absorbable suture.
To assess the length of graft, the gastrocnemius-soleus complex is pulled distally and then compared to the resting tension of the contralateral limb. The mesh is then measured and cut to fit the defect. The mesh is held in place with heavy non-absorbable suture, securing all knots anteriorly to prevent scarring and stenosis with the underlying superficial fascia and skin. The proximal portion is secured first (Fig.5), which allows for easier tensioning adjustments prior to securing the distal end.
Figure 5 The proximal portion of the mesh-tendon interface is first secured.
A portion of the plantaris tendon is resected and fanned out to cover the anterior and posterior portion of the graft, and is secured using 3-0 non-absorbable suture (Fig. 6).
Figure 6 A portion of the plantaris tendon is resected and fanned out to cover the anterior and posterior portion of the graft and is secured.
The tendon and graft are reinforced with calcaneal bone anchors inserted medially and laterally (Fig. 7).
Figure 7 Bone anchors secure the repaired tendon to the calcaneus.
The anchor sutures are then braided along the sides of the tendon creating a finger-trap stitch. The paratenon is repaired with an interlocking baseball stitch and the skin is reapproximated using 5.0 absorbable suture. (Figs. 8,9)
Figure 8 The paratenon is reapproximated.
Figure 9 Absorbable suture is used for closure and surgical strips are placed across the surgery site.
All patients were placed in a non-weight bearing, short leg cast in gravity equinus for 3 weeks, and then advanced to a non-weight bearing walking boot with passive range of motion exercises for an additional 3 weeks. Progressive weight bearing with active physical therapy was initiated post-operatively at 6 weeks.
Results
The average time for follow-up was 1.5 years (range 0.5 – 4 years; mean = 2 years; standard deviation 1.515; median 1.5 years; 25th percentile = 0.75 years; 75th percentile = 4 years). There were no cases of foreign body reaction following implantation of the mesh graft. All patients were able to return to work or to their level of activity before the injury. Of the twelve patients involved in the study, eight related no pain at the time of the interview.
Three patients related mild pain. One patient presented to the surgeon five months after surgery complaining of moderate pain at the operative site, and stated that he heard a “pop” when ambulating and began to experience pain at the surgical site. This patient was immobilized in a non-weightbearing walking boot with crutches and follow-up MRI showed evidence of diffuse thickening at the site of the repair with no evidence of a recurrent tear. He then returned to pre-operative activities of daily living without incident. Five patients related mild ankle joint stiffness upon waking in the morning. Two patients complained of mild weakness to the calf muscle.
Four patients stated that they were limited in their shoe gear, with one patient stating that she was no longer able to wear high heel shoes. All patients were satisfied with the overall results of the procedure. (Table 3)
TABLE 3 Data Results.
Discussion
A number of surgical techniques have been described for the repair of neglected Achilles tendon ruptures. Autogenous grafts in the form of local tendons or free fascia may be used when the donor tissue is healthy and where the gaps are manageable. Synthetics grafts are useful when autogenous grafts cannot be used.
Lieberman, et al, [14] described repair of Achilles tendon ruptures with Dacron® vascular graft in 7 patients, with a follow-up of ten to 38 months. The graft was woven from distal to proximal and across the rupture in a Bunnell-type fashion, and the patients were immobilized in a short-leg cast for two weeks and then fitted with a posterior fiberglass splint.
Patients were allowed to return to their normal level of activity approximately five months after surgery. There was no incidence of re-rupture, wound infection, or skin adhesion. All of the patients had normal gait, normal range of motion of the ankle, and had returned to their pre-injury level of activity. Two patients noted weakness in the injured leg and two years after the repair; however, their activity levels had not been altered. Another patient complained of tightness in the tendon area and discomfort after a significant amount of exercise.
Parsons, et al, [15] described repair of Achilles tendon using a composite carbon implant in 48 patients/51 procedures with an average follow-up of 2.1 years. Three cohort groups were observed on a temporal basis and quantitatively evaluated at 1 year (N = 29), 18 months (N = 22), and 2 years (N = 20), respectively. These three groups demonstrated continuous improvement during the first postoperative year, with 86% having a good to excellent result. A high level of function was maintained throughout the second year.
Lee [17] described a case-report using GraftJacket ® for augmentation of a gastrocnemius recession repair in a chronic Achilles rupture. The augmentation obviated the need for tendon transfer or free tendon graft, and early return to activity and good plantarflexion strength was noted postoperatively.
This series reports on 12 patients who were repaired using Marlex ® polypropylene mesh. This material has been extensively used in general and cardiovascular surgery with predictable results. Hosey, et al, studied the Marlex ® -tendon complex in rabbits and reported that it had similar physical properties to a normal tendo Achilles. [20] There was no reported incidence of foreign body reaction. The potential risk of donor site morbidity was eliminated through use of a synthetic graft. All patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their surgical outcome. Ozaki [19] and Choskey [22] reported findings that were similar to those in our set.
There are a number of limitations in this study. The sample size is small, and our results are compared to historical controls, which inherently introduces bias between the two groups. Additionally, we did not consider any independent variables, such as weight or length of the tendon defect, which may have added confounders or bias to the overall outcome of the study.
The VISA-A (Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles) questionnaire provides a valid and reliable index of severity of Achilles tendinopathy. [20] It was modified in this study to include questions about return to work and footwear restrictions. Additionally, it qualifies VISA-A pain, stiffness, and weakness score of 0 as none, 1-3 as mild, 4-6 as moderate, and 7-10 as severe. This modification may alter the operating characteristics of the questionnaire, however, it is quite unlikely.
In conclusion, the results demonstrated above suggest that polypropylene mesh graft is an effective alternative to autogenous grafts and/or tendon transfers in the treatment of neglected Achilles tendon rupture.
This investigation was not funded by any commercial or other outside agency or corporation. The investigators do not have any potential conflicts of interest, actual or perceived, to this investigation.
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Address correspondence to: Robert Fridman, DPM, AACFAS, Department of Orthopaedics, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, University Hospitals of Columbia and Cornell, New York, NY.
1Private Practice, Foot Associates of New York, New York, NY.
2Fahey Medical Center, Des Plaines, IL.
3Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Hoffman Estates, IL.
4Private Practice, Daugherty Foot and Ankle Clinic, Cape Girardeau, MI.
5Private Practice, Northwest Suburban Podiatry, Arlington Heights, IL.
© The Foot & Ankle Journal, 2008
