A chronic Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is generally defined as a rupture that occurs more than 4-6 weeks after the initial injury. A variety of corrective techniques have been reported, such as direct repair, V-Y plasty, turndown flap, tendon transfer and free tendon grafting. These procedures generally produce good results, but have the disadvantage of requiring prolonged immobilization and weight-bearing restrictions. This may be a risk factor for falls and decreased function in the lower limbs, especially in older patients. Side-locking loop sutures (SLLS) were first introduced in 2010 as a direct repair technique for acute ATR. This technique provides higher tensile strength, which may allow for early rehabilitation protocols such as early range of motion and early weight-bearing of the ankle without postoperative immobilization. In this report, we describe two cases of chronic ATR in elderly patients treated with SLLS and an early rehabilitation protocol.
Published by Oxford University Press and JSCR Publishing Ltd. © The Author(s) 2023.