ULTRASOUND MONITORING OF CONSERVATIVE FUN CTIONAL TREATMENT OF RUPTURE OF THE ACHILLES-TENDON

Rupture of the Achilles tendon has become more common in recent years. Operative repair is the treatment generally used but non-surgical the rapy is being accepted by an increasing number of surgeons because of the reports of good results with conservative treatment. Ultrasonograp hic examination not only allows an exact diagnosis to be made in muscl e and tendon injuries, but also observation of the healing processes. Therefore, conservative functional treatment of rupture of the Achille s tendon can be used with more success, which is a very comfortable co ncept for these patients. We present a series of 22 subcutaneous ruptu res of the Achilles tendon treated non-operatively to emphasize the va lue of conservative functional therapy with ultrasonographic monitorin g. After immobilization of the lower leg by a walking cast in the equi nus position for 3-6 weeks, the functional treatment follows using a d ecreasing heel lift and physiotherapy. Ultrasound examinations were pe rformed frequently to recognize new diastasis early. We observed compl ete healing in all patients, absence of complications and excellent fu nctional results. The morbidity of the patients was lower than with op erative treatment and no hospital stay was needed. In conclusion, in o ur opinion ultrasound-controlled conservative functional treatment of rupture of the Achilles tendon should be used more frequently in futur e.