Achilles tendon-splitting approach and double-row suture anchor repair for Haglund syndrome

Background: Haglund syndrom is characterized as a painful posterosuperior deformity of the heel with possible causes as tight Achilles tendon, high-arched foot and tendency to walk on the outside of the heel. Surgical treatment may be recommended in cases where of insufficient response to nonoperative treatment. This study aims to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of central Achilles tendon splitting and double-row suture anchor technique in the surgical treatment of patients with Haglund syndrome. Methods: 27 patients with Haglund syndrome who underwent central Achilles tendon splitting and double-row suture anchor were retrospectively evaluated. The results were evaluated by the pre- and post-operative American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale and visual analogue scale (VAS). All patients were evaluated radiographically to assess lateral talus-first metatarsal angle (TMTA), Calcaneal pitch angle (CPA), and the Fowler-Philip angle (FPA) preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: The mean preoperative AOFAS score was 47 +/- 7 points; at the end of the follow-up period, it increased to 92 +/- 4 points (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative VAS score was 9 +/- 0.9 points; at the end of the follow-up period, it was 2 +/- 0.6 points (p < 0.001). The lateral TMTA (preoperative: 5 degrees +/- 2 degrees; follow-up: 4 degrees +/- 2 degrees; p < 0.001), CPA (preoperative: 21 degrees +/- 5 degrees; follow-up: 20 degrees +/- 5 degrees; p = 0.005) and FPA (preoperative: 55 degrees +/- 6 degrees; follow-up: 32 degrees +/- 3 degrees; p < 0.001) values decreased at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusion: In the absence of an improvement to nonoperative treatment methods, central Achilles tendon-splitting approach appears to be an effective and safe treatment option. Level of evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series. (C) 2020 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the clinical and radiographic results of central Achilles tendon splitting and double-row suture anchor technique in patients with Haglund syndrome, demonstrating that surgical treatment significantly improved patients' outcomes and reduced pain, showing effectiveness as a treatment option when nonoperative methods fail.