Separation of tendon ends after Achilles tendon repair: a prospective,

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randomized, multicenter study. Mortensen-N-H. Saether-J. Steinke-M-S. Staehr-H. Mikkelsen-S-S. Orthopaedic Department, Holstebro Central Hospital, Denmark. Orthopedics. 1992 Aug. 15(8). P 899-903. Fifty-seven patients treated for an acute rupture of the Achilles tendon were studied. The patients were randomized into a Mason suture technique or a reinforced continuous six-strand suture technique, and markers were attached to each tendon end perioperatively. The postoperative separation of the markers was studied by repeat radiographic examination. Despite immobilization, separation developed after a biphasic course, and after 7 weeks the mean separation was 10.5 mm. No difference was found between the two techniques. We attempt to correlate the separation to the clinical outcome, examined at 1 year follow up. Author-abstract.