Functional evaluation of professional athletes treated with a mini-open technique for achilles tendon rupture

Introduction: in this study we report the functional results of 36 professional athletes treated with a combined percutaneous and mini-open technique. Methods: patients were evaluated with Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A), the objective 100-points Hannover scale and the Ergo-jump Bosco System device. Results: at a mean 28- month follow-up no re-rupture cases were observed. Six patients had minor complications. The Ergo-jump Bosco System device showed no significant differences in the side-to-side evaluation in regard to strength (-0.94%) and elasticity (+2.44%), while a significant post-operative loss was detected in the endurance trials (-6.78%). The Hannover scale showed an average score of 94.5, while the VISAA had an average of 93.1. Thirty-one patients resumed their pre-perative sports activity level within five months from surgery. Conclusions: our results showed that the combined mini-open and percutaneous repair is an effective treatment for professional athletes, with satisfactory clinical and functional results, lack of major complications and a quick return to professional sports activity.