Achilles Tendon and Athletes

Abstract

Achilles tendon (AT) is the strongest human tendon. AT disorders are common among athletes. AT pathologies vary from tendinopathy to frank rupture. Diagnosis is made clin- ically. Imaging modalities are used adjunctively. Management of AT rupture in athletes is challenging to surgeons due to worldwide growing popularity of sports and potential social and inancial impact of AT injury to an athlete. Hence, new surgical techniques aim at ataining quick recovery with good outcome, inding similar results with both open and percutaneous techniques when accompanying these with functional rehabilitation protocols. Non-operative strategies include shoe wear modiication, physiotherapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Surgical interventions vary based on the AT pathol- ogy nature and extent. Direct repair can work for small-sized defects. V-Y gastrocnemius advancement could approximate the tendon edges for repair within 2–8 cm original gap. Gastrocnemius turndown can bridge tendon loss > 8 cm. Autogenous, allogeneous or synthetic tendon grafts were used for AT reconstruction purposes. In AT tendinopathies with no tendon tissue loss, surgical procedures revolve around induction of tissue repair through lesion incision or debridement to full detachment followed by reatachment. Extra-precautions are exercised for prevention of AT disorders especially among suscep- tible athletes participating in sports involving excessive AT strain. Keywords: