Achilles Tendon Repair With Modified Giftbox Technique Using Nonabsorbable Suture Loops

• Main Authors: Timothy L. Miller MD, Eric Welder MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2021-02-01
• Series: Video Journal of Sports Medicine
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2635025421992782

Background: Achilles tendon ruptures occur most commonly in male individuals aged between 30 and 60 years. Indications: Surgical options for treatment of acute midsubstance Achilles tendon ruptures in the athletically active population include open, mini-open, and percutaneous techniques. Surgical Technique: The giftbox suture configuration has been popularized by multiple authors. Here, a modified giftbox technique for Achilles tendon repair is shown in detail and uses nonabsorbable suture loops, a novel method for primarily repairing complete Achilles tendon ruptures. Results: This mini-open technique has demonstrated, at a minimum of 1-year follow-up, outcomes that are comparable with previously reported Achilles tendon repair procedures with no re-ruptures and low overall complication rates in the first 60 patients who have undergone this procedure. The mean time to release to unrestricted activity following repair by this technique is 24.3 weeks, which is earlier than most standard techniques. Conclusion: Achilles tendon repair using the modified gift box technique with nonabsorbable suture loops is a safe and reliable technique for repair of midsubstance tendon ruptures in athletically active patients. The mean time to release to unrestricted activity following repair by this technique is earlier than most standard techniques.