Abstract Summary
The Dresden technique preserves the paratenon during Achilles tendon (AT) repair and may improve the plantarflexor mechanism when combined with mobilization during early rehabilitation. However, the surgical repair design for AT ruptures can affect rates of re-rupture or lengthening. Therefore, we determine the biomechanical properties of the Krackow, Double-Kessler, Double-Dresden, and Triple-Dresden techniques used for repairing mid-substance AT ruptures during cyclical and maximum traction. Sixty mid-substance bovine tendons were divided randomly into four groups by repair technique being applying cyclical tractions of 4.7, 5.8, 7.9, and 11.7 mm. The most important finding was that the Triple-Dresden technique resulted in decreased gapping, nominal suture stress, repair deformation, and quantity of specimens with clinical failure as compared to the other techniques. This suggesting that this technique might be more appropriate when performing early mobilization after mid-substance AT tenorrhaphy.
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