[Surgical treatment of ruptures of the achilles tendon in athletes. 31 cases operated on with an average follow up of 4 years].

The authors analyze a series of 31 tendo achillis ruptures occurring after sport accident. All were treated surgically. The actual follow up being of 4 years (1 to 12 years). In nearly one third of the cases, either a change in the training methods or intensive activity was noted. 80% of cases showed an causal violent trauma. Tendinopathy preceded the rupture in 20% of the cases, without being an important prognosis factor. In 70% of cases, diagnosis was made within the 24 following hours, and later (more than 8 days after) in one patient out of ten. Type of the surgical procedure does not seem to make any change in the long term prognosis. Each time a severe post op. complication occurred, the final result was bad. In one third of cases pre op. and post op. tendon lengths were not identical, this detail not seeming to bother the patients. In 60% of cases, same sport level was reached. In 80% of cases the final results were good or excellent.