Abstract
Achilles tendinopathy is a common cause of disability. New nerves fibers grow from
the paratenon into the Achilles tendon, and they could play a central role in the
development of pain. We report the results of minimally invasive Achilles tendon stripping
for Achilles tendinopathy in 47 active patients. The Victorian Institute of Sports
Assessment-Achilles questionnaire score improved from 53.8 preoperatively to 85.3
postoperatively (p < .001). After a mean follow-up period of 40.5 months, 41 patients had resumed sporting
activities at an average of 3.5 months postoperatively. A sural nerve injury was recorded
in 5 patients (10.6%), and all 5 complications occurred during the first 12 cases.
As a result, the technique was slightly modified, and no sural nerve neuropathy was
observed subsequently. One superficial infection (2.1%) was recorded. Minimally invasive
Achilles tendon stripping seems to be an effective, technically simple, and inexpensive
treatment of Achilles tendinopathy. Further randomized controlled trials involving
more patients are needed to confirm these outcomes.
Level of Clinical Evidence
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 26, 2017
Footnotes
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Conflict of Interest: None reported.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. All rights reserved.
