Objective: To investigate the clinical classification of chronic achilles tendinitis and analyze the surgical technique and efficacy of arthroscopic surgery.
Methods: Twenty-two patients (16 males, 6 females) with chronic achilles tendinitis were recruited. The average age was 33.5 years old (range: 17 - 53). Sixteen cases were caused by sport injury while 6 cases had no definite etiological factor. The Achilles tendinopathy was divided into three types according to clinical characteristics and the results of X ray, CT scan and MRI examination of ankle: Type 1, hypertrophy (n = 10); Type 2, calcified tubercle (n = 5); Type 3, fiber tear (n = 7). All cases were treated with endoscopic debridement of ventral neovascularized area, peritendineum and Achilles tendon by shaver and radiofrequency (RF) probe.
Results: The patients were followed-up for a mean of 14 months (range: 9 - 15). Evaluated by our criteria and visual analogue scale, the post-operative efficacy was excellent in 12 cases, good in 8 and fair in 2. No postoperative complications, such as neurovascular injury, infection and rupture of Achilles tendon, was recorded.
Conclusion: This scheme of classifying is helpful to the diagnosis and effective treatment of chronic Achilles tendonitis. With a high safety and a satisfactory efficacy, arthroscopic surgery has the advantages of minimally invasiveness.