Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

All patients were followed up with a strict casting protocol starting from immediate postoperative: 2 weeks in plantar flexion, 2 weeks in neutral position and finally 2 weeks in dorsiflexion then cast is discarded and patient is encouraged to follow up a strict physiotherapy program for gastrocnemius strengthening exercises, weightbearing and ankle range of motion. Patients were monitored monthly to detect improvement and results of repair regarding multiple parameters including physiotherapy results, gastrocnemius muscle power, weightbearing and ankle range of motion. patients were also assessed for common complications which usually occur postoperative for Achilles tendon repair including infection which is the most common complication. Other complications include chronic ankle pain, stiffness and limitation of motion, ankle swelling and sural nerve injury. MRI as the gold standard investigation for Achilles tendon rupture diagnosis and due to difficult feasibility was done after 6 months postoperative to assess tendon continuity and healing.Achilles tendon rupture score is an important functional score which was done around 6 months after the repair to detect functional outcome of the patients. It is a questionnaire of 10 questions with answers grade from 1 to 10 the highest being 10 and the lowest being 1. Adding the results is out of 100 the total score of the questionnaire. After surgery the healing time is usually around 2 months. The rehabilitation period is then 3-4 months before the athlete can resume full training

Issued also as CD