ACHILLES TENDON RUPTURE AND TREATMENT – LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: To determine the most optimal treatment model for Achilles tendon ruptures through a review of scientific literature in available databases.

Methods: The search was performed within three databases, including PubMed, Reserch Gate and Web of Science, and after eliminating articles according to preset criteria, five randomized studies were selected for further analysis.

Results: The studies included 484 patients with Achilles tendon rupture, of which 244 underwent surgical treatment, and the remaining 240 underwent non-operative treatment. The results of various tests showed that the surgical approach has a lower risk of re-rupture, where re-rupture occurred in 3.27% of cases, while in the non-surgical group this proportion was 9.58%. However, major complications were also recorded in the surgical group, most often related to infections and soft tissue condition. Regarding functional outcomes, most studies found no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of strength, range of motion, lower leg circumference, or Leppilahti score.

Conclusion: The surgical approach to the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures proved to be a safe method with an excellent clinical and functional outcome that enables an earlier return to activities and a better quality of life compared to non-operative treatment.