Skip to main content
Top
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2007

Open Access 01-12-2007 | Technical advance

Management of insertional Achilles tendinopathy through a Cincinnati incision

Authors: Michael R Carmont, Nicola Maffulli

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2007

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

About 10% of patients not responding to 3–6 months of conservative management for insertional Achilles tendinopathy undergo surgery. Traditionally, surgery of the Achilles tendon is performed through longitudinal extensile incisions. Such surgery is prone to the complications of wound healing, wound breakdown and iatrogenic nerve injury.

Methods

We describe our current method of exposure of the Achilles tendon insertion and debridement of the peritendinous and tendon tissue with osteotomy of the calcaneum through a transverse skin incision at the level of the Achilles insertion.

Results

This method has been used since 2002 on over 40 patients for exposure of the Achilles tendon insertion and the distal Achilles tendon.

Conclusion

The Cincinnati incision allows adequate exposure, has minimal risk of symptomatic iatrogenic nerve injury, and has minimal problems related to the scar.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
2.
go back to reference Kvist , Lehto , Jozsa : Chronic Achilles paratendionsis: an immuno histologic study of fibronectin and fibrinogen. Am J Sport Med. 1988, 16: 616-623. 10.1177/036354658801600611.CrossRef Kvist , Lehto , Jozsa : Chronic Achilles paratendionsis: an immuno histologic study of fibronectin and fibrinogen. Am J Sport Med. 1988, 16: 616-623. 10.1177/036354658801600611.CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Maffulli N, Testa V, Capasso G, Sullo A: Calcific insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Am J Sports Med. 2004, 32 (1): 174-181. 10.1177/0363546503258923.CrossRefPubMed Maffulli N, Testa V, Capasso G, Sullo A: Calcific insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Am J Sports Med. 2004, 32 (1): 174-181. 10.1177/0363546503258923.CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Fahlstrom M, Jonsson P, Lorentzon R, Alfredson H: Cronic Achilles pain treated with eccentric calf muscle training. Knee Sports Surg Traumatol Arthrosc. 2003, 11 (5): 327-333. 10.1007/s00167-003-0418-z.CrossRef Fahlstrom M, Jonsson P, Lorentzon R, Alfredson H: Cronic Achilles pain treated with eccentric calf muscle training. Knee Sports Surg Traumatol Arthrosc. 2003, 11 (5): 327-333. 10.1007/s00167-003-0418-z.CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Furia JP: High energy extracorporal shock wave therapy as a treatment for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Am J Sports Med. 2006, 34 (5): 733-740. 10.1177/0363546505281810.CrossRefPubMed Furia JP: High energy extracorporal shock wave therapy as a treatment for insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Am J Sports Med. 2006, 34 (5): 733-740. 10.1177/0363546505281810.CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Clancy W: Prevention and treatment of running injuries. 1982, New Jersey: Stack, 77-83. Clancy W: Prevention and treatment of running injuries. 1982, New Jersey: Stack, 77-83.
7.
go back to reference Paavola M, Orava S, Leppilahti J, Kannus P, Jarvinen M: Chronic tendon overuse injury: complications after surgical treatment. An analysis of 432 consecutive patients. Am J Sports Med. 2000, 28 (1): 77-82.PubMed Paavola M, Orava S, Leppilahti J, Kannus P, Jarvinen M: Chronic tendon overuse injury: complications after surgical treatment. An analysis of 432 consecutive patients. Am J Sports Med. 2000, 28 (1): 77-82.PubMed
8.
go back to reference Yodlowski ML, Scheller AD, Minos L: Surgical treatment of Achilles tenditis by decompression of the retrocalcaneal bursa and the superior calcaneal tuberosity. Am J Sports Med. 2002, 30 (3): 318-321.PubMed Yodlowski ML, Scheller AD, Minos L: Surgical treatment of Achilles tenditis by decompression of the retrocalcaneal bursa and the superior calcaneal tuberosity. Am J Sports Med. 2002, 30 (3): 318-321.PubMed
9.
go back to reference Haglund P: Contribution to the diseased conditions of the tendo Achilles. Acta Chir Scand. 1928, 63: 292-294. Haglund P: Contribution to the diseased conditions of the tendo Achilles. Acta Chir Scand. 1928, 63: 292-294.
10.
go back to reference Wagner E, Gould JS, Kneidel M, Fleisig GS, Fowler R: Technique and results of Achilles tendon detachment and reconstruction for insertional Achilles tendinosis. Foot Ankle Int. 2006, 27 (9): 677-684.PubMed Wagner E, Gould JS, Kneidel M, Fleisig GS, Fowler R: Technique and results of Achilles tendon detachment and reconstruction for insertional Achilles tendinosis. Foot Ankle Int. 2006, 27 (9): 677-684.PubMed
11.
go back to reference Wagner E, Gould J, Bilen E, Fleisig GS, Wilk K, Fowler R: Change in plantarfelxion strength after complete detachment and reconstruction of the Achilles tendon. Foot Ankle Int. 2004, 25 (11): 800-804.PubMed Wagner E, Gould J, Bilen E, Fleisig GS, Wilk K, Fowler R: Change in plantarfelxion strength after complete detachment and reconstruction of the Achilles tendon. Foot Ankle Int. 2004, 25 (11): 800-804.PubMed
12.
go back to reference Calder JDF, Saxby TS: Surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinosis. Foot Ankle Int. 2003, 24 (2): 119-121.PubMed Calder JDF, Saxby TS: Surgical treatment of insertional Achilles tendinosis. Foot Ankle Int. 2003, 24 (2): 119-121.PubMed
13.
go back to reference Schepsis AA, Leach RE: Surgical management of Achilles tendonitis. Am J Sports Med. 1987, 15: 308-315. 10.1177/036354658701500403.CrossRefPubMed Schepsis AA, Leach RE: Surgical management of Achilles tendonitis. Am J Sports Med. 1987, 15: 308-315. 10.1177/036354658701500403.CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Schepsis AA, Wagner C, Leach RE: Surgical management of Achilles tendon overuse injuries. A long term follow up study. Am J Sports Med. 1994, 22: 611-619. 10.1177/036354659402200508.CrossRefPubMed Schepsis AA, Wagner C, Leach RE: Surgical management of Achilles tendon overuse injuries. A long term follow up study. Am J Sports Med. 1994, 22: 611-619. 10.1177/036354659402200508.CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Krishna-Sayana M, Maffulli N: Insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Foot Ankle Clin N Am. 2005, 10: 309-320. 10.1016/j.fcl.2005.01.010.CrossRef Krishna-Sayana M, Maffulli N: Insertional Achilles tendinopathy. Foot Ankle Clin N Am. 2005, 10: 309-320. 10.1016/j.fcl.2005.01.010.CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Watson AD, Anderson RB, Davis WH: Comparison of results of retrocalcaneal decompression for retrocalcaneal bursitis and insertional Achilles tendinosis with calcific spur. Foot Ankle Int. 2000, 21: 638-642.PubMed Watson AD, Anderson RB, Davis WH: Comparison of results of retrocalcaneal decompression for retrocalcaneal bursitis and insertional Achilles tendinosis with calcific spur. Foot Ankle Int. 2000, 21: 638-642.PubMed
17.
go back to reference Kleiger B: The posterior calcaneal tubercle impingement syndrome. Orthop Rev. 1988, 17 (5): 487-493.PubMed Kleiger B: The posterior calcaneal tubercle impingement syndrome. Orthop Rev. 1988, 17 (5): 487-493.PubMed
18.
go back to reference McGarvey WC, Palumbo RC, Baxter DE, Leibman BD: Insertional Achilles tendinosis: surgical treatment through a central splitting approach. Foot Ankle Int. 2002, 23 (1): 19-25.PubMed McGarvey WC, Palumbo RC, Baxter DE, Leibman BD: Insertional Achilles tendinosis: surgical treatment through a central splitting approach. Foot Ankle Int. 2002, 23 (1): 19-25.PubMed
19.
go back to reference Johnson KW, Zalavras C, Thordarson DB: Surgical management of insertional calcific Achilles tendinosis with a central splitting approach. Foot Ankle Int. 2006, 27 (4): 245-250.PubMed Johnson KW, Zalavras C, Thordarson DB: Surgical management of insertional calcific Achilles tendinosis with a central splitting approach. Foot Ankle Int. 2006, 27 (4): 245-250.PubMed
20.
go back to reference Ortmann FW, McBryde AM: Endoscopic bony and soft tissue decompression of the retrocalcaneal space for the treatment of Haglund deformity and retrocalcaneal bursitis. Foot Ankle Int. 2007, 28 (2): 149-153. 10.3113/FAI.2007.0149.CrossRefPubMed Ortmann FW, McBryde AM: Endoscopic bony and soft tissue decompression of the retrocalcaneal space for the treatment of Haglund deformity and retrocalcaneal bursitis. Foot Ankle Int. 2007, 28 (2): 149-153. 10.3113/FAI.2007.0149.CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Eastwood DM, Irgau I, Atkins RM: The distal course of the sural nerve and its significance for lesions around the lateral hind foot. Foot Ankle. 1992, 13 (4): 199-202.CrossRefPubMed Eastwood DM, Irgau I, Atkins RM: The distal course of the sural nerve and its significance for lesions around the lateral hind foot. Foot Ankle. 1992, 13 (4): 199-202.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Webb J, Moorjani N, Radford M: Anatomy of the sural nerve and its relation to the Achilles tendon. Foot Ankle Int. 2000, 21 (6): 475-477.PubMed Webb J, Moorjani N, Radford M: Anatomy of the sural nerve and its relation to the Achilles tendon. Foot Ankle Int. 2000, 21 (6): 475-477.PubMed
23.
go back to reference Crawford AH, Marxen JL, Osterfeld DL: The Cincinnati incision: a comprehensive approach for surgical procedures of the foot and ankle in childhood. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1982, 64 (9): 1355-1358.PubMed Crawford AH, Marxen JL, Osterfeld DL: The Cincinnati incision: a comprehensive approach for surgical procedures of the foot and ankle in childhood. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1982, 64 (9): 1355-1358.PubMed
Metadata
Title
Management of insertional Achilles tendinopathy through a Cincinnati incision
Authors
Michael R Carmont
Nicola Maffulli
Publication date
01-12-2007
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2007
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-8-82

Other articles of this Issue 1/2007

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2007 Go to the issue