Magnetic resonance imaging after operative repair of Achilles tendon rupture

We performed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in 16 consecutive pat ients who had undergone open repair of a unilateral Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) at an average of 32.5 (SD 3.2) (range 29-36) months from the operati on. We measured the widest antero-posterior diameter of the tendon, the lon gest distance between the insertion of the Achilles tendon on the calcaneum and the musculo-tendinous junction of the soleus muscle on the Achilles te ndon, the distance between the insertion of the Achilles tendon on the calc aneum and the point of maximal width of the tendon, We also ascertained whe ther areas of altered signal were present in and around the tendon. The ope rated tendons were always significantly thicker than the non-operated ones, There was a non-significant trend for the other measurements to be greater in the operated tendons. In we patients, areas of dishomogeneous signal we re present in the operated tendon. These areas were less than 25% of the an tero-posterior diameter of the tendon, and were clinically silent. These fi ndings probably represent normal features of long-term tendon healing follo wing open repair of an ATR.