https://doi.org/10.4081/pmc.2022.280

Achilles tendon surgery in clubfoot: Are long term sequelae predictable?

Vol. 44 No. 1 (2022)
Submitted: 28 November 2021
Accepted: 7 April 2022
Published: 3 May 2022
Congenital clubfoot, Achilles injury, adult
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Authors

Luisella Pedrotti
luisella.pedrotti@unipv.it
Clinical Surgical Department, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, Locomotor System Diseases Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia; Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, Città di Pavia Institute, Pavia, Italy.
Barbara Bertani
Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, Città di Pavia Institute, Pavia, Italy.
Gabriella Tuvo
Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, Città di Pavia Institute, Pavia, Italy.
Redento Mora
Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, Città di Pavia Institute, Pavia, Italy.
Luca Marin
Laboratory of Adapted Motor Activity, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Federica De Rosa
Pediatric Orthopedic and Traumatology Unit, Children’s Hospital, AON SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Alessandria, Italy.

Congenital Clubfoot (CCF) treatment involves a surgical procedure on the Achilles tendon most of the time, i.e. tenotomy or, in selected cases, Z-plasty lengthening. Many authors have studied the outcomes of Achilles tenotomy, describing complete clinical and ultrasound tendon fibers integrity restoration 3-6 weeks after surgery. Nevertheless, little is known about the mechanical properties of the operated tendon. Recently, cases of subcutaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon have been described in adolescents who practiced sports and who had undergone Achilles tenotomy for congenital clubfoot in childhood. Authors report two cases of atraumatic Achilles tendon injury (subcutaneous rupture and intratendinous ossification) in adult patients who had been treated for congenital clubfoot in childhood. In both cases, no causes determining the injury were identified; in the medical history there was a Z-plasty lengthening of the Achilles tendon, performed within the first year of life, which could be considered a predisposing factor. The usefulness of long-term monitoring of patients treated for CCF with surgical procedures on the Achilles tendon is therefore hypothesized, in order to promptly identify by symptoms, clinical pictures and ultrasound criteria, tendon suffering that may predispose subcutaneous rupture.

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How to Cite

Pedrotti, L., Bertani, B., Tuvo, G., Mora, R., Marin, L., & De Rosa, F. (2022). Achilles tendon surgery in clubfoot: Are long term sequelae predictable?. La Pediatria Medica E Chirurgica, 44(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/pmc.2022.280
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