Abstract
The purpose of our examinations was to determine whether gait analysis can provide evidence of functional deficits in patients with surgically treated ruptures of the Achilles tendon, and whether measurable parameters for rehabilitation result. In a retrospective study, we examined 30 patients with traumatic Achilles tendon rupture who had been surgically treated immediately posttraumatically with direct tendon suturing between May 1996 and November 1999. We used gait analysis and applied the Hannover Achilles tendon score with regard to occupational and athletic disability. The average follow-up examination interval was 24 (range 18-28) months. After processing results and placing patients in deficit-oriented therapy, a final assessment was conducted using the score mentioned above and a gait analysis. Prior to beginning deficit-oriented therapy, the 100-point score showed that, after an Achilles tendon rupture, 66.7% of the patients had a good to very good outcome. Gait analysis indicated significant deficits in functional mobility during the swing phase, manifesting as a diminishment of the active heel lift. At the time of the final assessment, the findings from gait analysis demonstrated that these deficits were no longer evident to any significant extent. The 100-point score from the final assessment yielded an increase in good and very good results to a total of 80.0%. Gait analysis is suited to both the detection of functional deficits following reconstructive surgery on the musculoskeletal system and to devising individual, patient-oriented rehabilitation plans.