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The Achilles Tendon pp 125–128Cite as

Z Shortening of Healed Achilles Tendon Rupture

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Abstract

Achilles tendon ruptures are common, but the correct diagnosis may be missed in up to 20% of patients at initial presentation. In some patients, a chronic rupture of the Achilles tendon may heal in continuity, resulting in a lengthened Achilles tendon. The elongated structure must now be shortened or reconstructed to allow some restoration of push-off. Several techniques have been described for reconstruction of the Achilles tendon. Z lengthening is commonly used for tendon lengthening in patients with equinus contracture of the ankle. Z shortening has been reported for operative shortening of the elongated Achilles tendon following previous rupture [6]. We describe a modification of this technique in the management of chronic ruptures of the Achilles tendon which have healed in continuity but have resulted in an elongated, nonfunctional gastrocsoleus. This technique allows early weight bearing and early active mobilization of the ankle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy

    Rocco Aicale MS-V, Domiziano Tarantino MS-V & Nicola Maffulli MD, MS, PhD, FRCS (Orth)

  2. Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, School of Medicine, Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Alessio Giai Via MD & Francesco Oliva MD, PhD

  3. Queen Mary University of London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, 275 Bancroft Road, London, E1 4DG, UK

    Nicola Maffulli MD, MS, PhD, FRCS (Orth)

Authors
  1. Rocco Aicale MS-V
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  2. Domiziano Tarantino MS-V
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  3. Alessio Giai Via MD
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  4. Francesco Oliva MD, PhD
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  5. Nicola Maffulli MD, MS, PhD, FRCS (Orth)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicola Maffulli MD, MS, PhD, FRCS (Orth) .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Hip, Knee and Foot Surgery, ATOS Clinic Centre, Heidelberg, Germany

    Hajo Thermann

  2. Center for Hip, Knee and Foot Surgery, ATOS Clinic Centre, Heidelberg, Germany

    Christoph Becher

  3. Princess Royal Hospital, Telford, Shropshire, United Kingdom

    Michael R. Carmont

  4. Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden

    Jón Karlsson

  5. Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy

    Nicola Maffulli

  6. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom

    James Calder

  7. Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam Zuidoost, The Netherlands

    C. Niek van Dijk

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© 2017 ESSKA

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Aicale, R., Tarantino, D., Via, A.G., Oliva, F., Maffulli, N. (2017). Z Shortening of Healed Achilles Tendon Rupture. In: Thermann, H., et al. The Achilles Tendon. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54074-9_21

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-54074-9_21

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-662-54073-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-54074-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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