The Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture: An Evidence-Based Approach from the Diagnosis to the Treatment

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Vol. 58; no. 9; p. 1195
• Main Authors: Amendola, Francesco, Barbasse, Léa, Carbonaro, Riccardo, Alessandri-Bonetti, Mario, Cottone, Giuseppe, Riccio, Michele, De Francesco, Francesco, Vaienti, Luca, Serror, Kevin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.09.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Achilles tendon; Achilles Tendon - injuries; achilles tendon rupture; Acute Disease; Ankle Injuries; Arthritis; Care and treatment; Clinical trials; Collagen; Diagnosis; Humans; Infections; Laparoscopy; Meta-analysis; minimally invasive surgery; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods; nonoperative treatment; Observational studies; open repair; operative treatment; Patients; Rehabilitation; Risk factors; Rupture - diagnosis; Rupture - therapy; Surgery; Surgery, Experimental; Surgical research; Systematic Review; Tendon injuries; Tendon Injuries - diagnosis; Tendon Injuries - therapy; Tendons; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonic imaging; Italy; minimally invasive surgery; open repair; achilles tendon rupture; nonoperative treatment; operative treatment
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina58091195

Background and Objective: Acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) is a common injury with a significant impact on daily living. Although various systematic reviews and meta-analyses have been written on the topic, no actual consensus exists on the best treatment. We aimed to collect the highest quality of evidence on the subject and to produce a document to which to refer, from the diagnosis to the final treatment. Material and Methods: Inclusion criteria were systematic reviews discussing Achilles tendon rupture, concerning either diagnostic criteria, classification, or treatment; English language; clearly stated inclusion and exclusion criteria for patients’ selection. Results: Thirteen systematic reviews were included in the study. A strong consensus exists about the higher risk of re-rupture associated with non-operative treatment and a higher risk of complications associated with surgical repair. Conclusions: The combination of minimally invasive repair and accelerated functional rehabilitation seems to offer the best results in the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture.