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Background: Percutaneous and minimally invasive suturing techniques are very important in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures because they combine the advantages of surgical treatment (low re-rupture rate) and non-opervative treatment (low risk of complications). In the authors' approach, the percutaneous, peritendineum-preserving technique with the Dresden instrument has proven itself as a standard treatment for 20 years., Dresden Technique: Strict adherence to the original Dresden technique with posteromedial incision and subfascial preparation is crucial for the safe avoidance of the sural lesions regularly reported in percutaneous procedures. The rupture zone and the peritendineum should not be opened. By adding a third suture and using non-absorbable suture material, stability comparable to the open Krackow suture technique is achieved. Functional aftertreatment with protection in a special boot and appropriate supervision of the patient aims at early rehabilitation while minimizing the risk of re-rupture or loss of tension., Outlook: The focus of future efforts should be to further improve treatment results through individualized postoperative treatment adapted to tendon healing., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Background: Achilles tendon ruptures that are older than 4-6 weeks or developed over a more extended period are chronic. Two challenges characterize the treatment. First, defect zones over a length of several centimeters must frequently be bridged. Second, a prolonged loss of function of the muscles leads to an irreversible fatty degeneration of the tissue. So that even if the tendon is restored, significant functional deficits remain. If there are doubts about the ability of the calf muscles to regenerate, regardless of the size of the defect, tendon transfers are recommended to use the power of an additional muscle to support the plantar flexion of the ankle., Treatment: Established concepts are the transposition of the flexor hallucis longus or the peroneus brevis muscle. If the muscle is intact, defects of up to 2 cm can be treated with a direct suture. Defects between 2 and 5 cm can be bridged using a VY-plasty or a turndown flap. For larger defects, free tendon transplants can be considered. The technical alternative for larger defects is a tendon transfer of the flexor hallucis longus or the peroneus brevis muscle. Besides bridging the defect, another advantage of tendon transfer is that vital muscle tissue is placed in the bed of the Achilles tendon. Both tendons are covered with muscle tissue over nearly the full length, which offers advantages, especially in patients with critical soft tissue or after infection., Follow-Up Treatment and Prognosis: Follow-up treatment is analogous to an acute Achilles tendon rupture. However, permanent impairments are possible; 75-80% of athletes regain their original performance level., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Background: The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in humans and is frequently injured, especially in the physically active young to middle-aged population. An increasing frequency of Achilles tendon ruptures (ATR) has been reported in several studies. However, there is no international consensus regarding possible non-operative (N-OP) or operative (surgical) treatment (OP)., Objectives: The aim of this article is to semi-quantitatively compare both treatment options for ATR by analyzing the results reported in the literature., Material and Methods: For this purpose, relevant categories were identified, and the literature was then evaluated in a PubMed analysis. Ten meta-analyses and two cost analyses were included. The data was extracted according to the categories and evaluated comparatively., Results: OP and N‑OP for acute ATR can lead to equally good restitution of clinical function if early functional rehabilitation is applied. The lower re-rupture rate is an advantage of OP, whereas the lower general complications speak in favor of N‑OP. The minimally invasive or percutaneous surgical technique (M-OP) appears to be advantageous over the open surgical technique (O-OP), although studies show an increased rate of lesions of the sural nerve., Conclusion: There is no consensus regarding the superiority of OP or N‑OP for acute ATR, as several studies conducted since the introduction of early mobilization protocols have shown similar results for these two interventions. Results and complications of M‑OP and O‑OP are also comparable. Considering the available data on the various surgical procedures, the authors prefer the M‑OP technique with adequate sural nerve protection for repair of acute ATR, combined with an early mobilization protocol., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Background: Fractures of the knee extensor complex are relatively rare injuries in children. We distinguish between a pure tendon rupture and ruptures with bony avulsions. A mid-substance tear in children is a relatively rare injury, whereas bony avulsions due to skeletal immaturity are seen more often. Sole bony fractures of the patella also only account for a low number of paediatric related fractures. Sleeve fractures are characterized by an avulsion of cartilage and, usually, bone pulled off from the distal patella pole. Avulsion fractures of the tibia tubercle are found in the group of sportive adolescents., Treatment: Especially dislocated fractures should be conveyed to surgical therapy to avoid excessive bone callus. Timely diagnostics and an efficient and consistent treatment are recommended. Deformities and dislocated avulsions will regularly not remodel spontaneously during further growth. Therefore, it is mandatory to reconstruct the articular surface and the knee extensor complex to avoid future complications such as osteoarthritis or elongation of the knee extensors., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

With up to 50 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants, Achilles tendon ruptures are among the most frequent tendon injuries encountered in orthopedics and trauma surgery. Apart from high-risk forms of sport, degenerative processes are primarily responsible for weakening and ultimately rupture. In addition to assessing the typical clinical signs with inability to perform powerful plantar flexion, the diagnostics include easy to earn examination techniques, such as the Thompson test and ultrasound as the imaging gold standard. Conservative and surgical treatment are available depending on the constitution, age and requirements of the patient. The latter option is divided into conventional open, minimally invasive or percutaneous procedures. Good to very good results can be expected regardless of the form of treatment, provided that early functional rehabilitation is carried out. The average rerupture rate is 5% and the return to sport rate is around 80%., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Within the last 50 years, there has been a change in trend in flexor tendon surgery. After the introduction of the 2-strand technique, the 4-strand technique was propagated in the 1990s. In order to obtain a status quo of which technique is used in Germany and if the gold standard of the 4-strand suture has changed in favour of a 6-strand suture, we conducted an online survey among members of the DGH ("Deutsche Gesellschaft für Handchirurgie", German Society for Hand Surgery) on the suture technique of flexor tendon injuries zone 2., Material and Methods: An online survey was conducted and sent out by email to all DGH members. The questionnaire included 7 questions. Participants accessed the survey via a link., Results: 155 hand surgeons from Germany participated in the survey. All of them answered the questionnaire in full and all questionnaires were included in the evaluation. The main question of how many strands are currently used for core suturing was answered as follows: 21% (n=32) of the 155 participants (TN) stated that they use a 2-strand suture, 53% used (n=82) a 4-strand suture and 10% used a 6-strand suture. Regarding techniques, 81 TN used the Kirchmayr-Kessler technique or a modification of it, 9 TN used the M-Tang technique, and 15 TN indicated "other technique". The question about the application of an epitendinous suture was overwhelmingly answered with "yes". Here, 98.2% agreed. Only with regard to the suture material, different opinions were found. 68% (n=106) use an absorbable monofilament suture (such as PDS). Just under a quarter (23%, n=36) use a non-absorbable monofilament suture (such as Prolene)., Conclusion: Flexor tendon surgery has changed considerably due to intensive advances in research during the last decades. It was interesting to note in our survey that German hand surgeons have adapted their suture technique within the last years based on the results of the literature. Our results clearly show that convincing scientific data has an influence on the choice of surgical technique and that discussions about new techniques, e. g. in the context of annual meetings, may well stimulate the auditorium to rethink., Competing Interests: Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: A rare but typical perioperative complication in the surgical treatment of pediatric forearm fractures is injury to the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon. This article presents the long-term results after reconstruction of the EPL tendon with transposition of the extensor indicis (EI) tendon in children and adolescents after surgically treated forearm fracture., Patients and Methods: Over a period of 15 years, 22 children up to the age of 16 were treated with EI transposition analogous to adult care. In a follow-up examination, the range of motion of the finger and thumb joints, retropulsion of the thumb and index finger, abduction and opposition were examined. In addition, hand span and strength in the gross, key, and point grasp were measured. Subjective complaints were questioned and the DASH score was assessed., Results: Rupture of the EPL tendon is a rare complication, accounting for 1% of all surgically treated paediatric forearm fractures. 15 patients with an average age of 10.9 years could be followed up for an average of 66.5 months after transposition of the EI tendon. Significant differences were found in reduced mobility of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb, isolated extensor strength of the index finger, a reduced span between the thumb and index finger in palmar abduction, and reduced strength in the pointed grip. Subjectively, the differences between the sides were not noticed by the patients and their parents in everyday life., Conclusions: Transposition of the EI tendon for reconstruction of a ruptured EPL tendon as a rare complication after paediatric forearm fracture does lead to a measurable and significant reduction in index finger mobility on the affected side in the long term, but without subjective limitations of the children., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Restoration of the anatomy and the original length of the muscle-tendon unit in triceps tendon ruptures., Indications: Acute and chronic triceps tendon ruptures with persisting symptoms and significant strength deficits., Contraindications: Infections and tumors in the surgical area., Surgical Technique: Prone position. Skin incision over the distal triceps in a lateral direction around the olecranon. Mobilization of the tendon and débridement of the olecranon. Drilling of 2 × 2.9 mm suture anchor holes medial and lateral into the footprint of the olecranon. In addition, drilling through the olecranon 12 mm distal to the tip of the olecranon and transosseous introduction of 4 sutures. Then the suture anchors (all-suture or titanium anchors) are inserted into the drill holes. Refix the deep and superficial tendons with the anchor threads. Refix the upper tendon portions with the transosseous sutures. In the case of chronic lesions, a graft interposition is necessary., Postoperative Management: Dorsal 10 ° splint, then change to an orthosis fixed in 20 ° extension and passive mobility 0-30 ° flexion for 6 weeks. From the 7th week onwards, load-free, physiotherapeutically controlled increasing mobilization. Starting weight-loading from the 13th week on. Full load after 6 months., Results: In all, 34 male strength athletes with acute triceps tendon rupture underwent surgery using the hybrid technique described and were prospectively recorded. The MEPS‑G score averaged 94.7 points, there were no permanent limitations in mobility, and the postoperative strength ability averaged 94% of the original strength performance ability. The return to sport achieved 100%. The complication rate was 20.6%. Reconstruction of the distal triceps tendon using hybrid technology leads to very good functional results. Half of all patients complained of symptoms even before the rupture, which suggests previous damage to the distal triceps tendon caused by degeneration., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Objective: Bridging the defect in chronic ruptures of the Achilles tendon via a turn-down flap of the aponeurosis sparing the skin of the rupture zone., Indications: Chronic Achilles tendon rupture with a defect distance ≤ 6 cm., Contraindications: Extended Achilles tendon defect interval ≥ 7 cm, chronic wounds or infections near the surgical approach, higher degrees of arterial or venous malperfusion, complex regional pain syndrome., Surgical Technique: Dorsomedial surgical approach proximal to the rupture zone, splitting of the crural fascia, loading of the distal Achilles tendon stump with a nonresorbable augmentation suture using the Dresden instrument, preparation of the turn-down flap of the aponeurosis securing the turning point with a catching suture. Transfer of the turn-down tendon flap under the skin bridge and suture to the distal tendon stump tying the augmentation suture under adequate pretension simultaneously closing the gap in the aponeurosis. Alternative technique: free advancement of the autologous tendon graft., Postoperative Management: Anterior splint in 20° of plantar flexion, consecutive mobilization and rehabilitation similar to the percutaneous technique in acute Achilles tendon rupture with the Dresden instrument. Lower leg orthosis with 20° of plantarflexion for 8 weeks, then stepwise reduction of the heel height. Physiotherapy beginning from the 2nd postoperative week, active full-range of ankle motion from 6 weeks after surgery., Results: In general, worse results than in percutaneous reconstruction of acute Achilles tendon injuries. Despite this, high degrees of patient satisfaction with a low rate of postsurgical complications and good functional outcome with admittedly poor data availability. Relevant increase of plantar flexion strength depending on the amount of degeneration of the triceps surae muscle., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Diagnosis and Therapy of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures Abstract. Acute Achilles tendon ruptures are a common pathology and often affect young athletic patients. Diagnosis is mostly clinical and by ultrasound. Conservative and operative treatment algorithms exist. The result of the treatment is mostly influenced by the elongation of the tendon during healing. Operative procedures tend to lead to less elongation but have a complication risk. After-treatment should be functional to reduce complication rate and faster rehabilitation. Treatment results are good in general, but some weakness is often found on the injured side.

The triceps brachii muscle is the main extender of the elbow joint. Triceps tendon rupture or tearing presents a rare injury pattern in general. Distal tendon ruptures occur most commonly in the area of the insertion of the olecranon. Fractures of the radial head are reported as the most common concomitant injury. In many cases, pre-existing degenerative damage predisposes for tendon injury. These include local steroid injections, anabolic steroid abuse, renal insufficiency requiring dialysis, hyperparathyroidism, lupus erythematosus and Marfan's syndrome. However, the most frequent trauma mechanism is a direct fall onto the extended forearm or a blow to the elbow. Beside clinical examination and sonography, magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic gold standard. The treatment of triceps tendon injuries includes conservative as well as operative approaches, whereby the indications for surgical treatment must be generously considered depending on the patient's age, functional demands of the patient, involvement of the dominant extremity as well as on the extent of the tendon rupture., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Objective: Transosseous reconstruction of the triceps tendon., Indications: All tears of the triceps tendon that allow a tension-free reconstruction., Contraindications: Retracted triceps tendon tears that do not allow a tension-free reconstruction after mobilization., Surgical Technique: Two nonabsorbable sutures are threaded through two crossing transosseous canals. In addition, an anchor is placed directly in the footprint. Using the first nonabsorbable suture the tendon is sutured using the Krackow technique and subsequently shuttled transosseously distally and knotted there with its other part. Using the first suture pair of the anchor the tendon is sutured in a similar manner and knotted within the tendon. With the second pair pressure to the avulsion fragment can be increased by knotting it distally to the first knot. Alternatively, sutures of the suture anchor can be used with a Mason-Allen technique., Postoperative Management: For the first 6 weeks a ROM brace is applied with gradual release of flexion. Free flexion after 6 weeks is allowed. Beginning of strengthening exercises after 12 weeks., Results: Authors have reported good results after surgical treatment of triceps tendon ruptures. Regardless of possible extension deficits described in the literature, in the case presented an excellent postoperative outcome with a free range of motion was achieved., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

The quadriceps tendon often ruptures spontaneously without trauma, frequently following an eccentric load on the tendon (walking down stairs) in the case of a previous degenerative injury. Rupture after endoprosthetic knee replacement is a special etiological case. Predominantly men between 50 and 65 years of age are affected. Clinical signs are suprapatellar hematoma and the inability to actively straighten the knee. A typical examination finding is the "suprapatellar gap sign". Ultrasonography is the diagnostic imaging modality of first choice as it can be reliably visualize the rupture and the resulting hematoma. Magnetic resonance imaging has a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting quadriceps tendon ruptures. However, its limited availability should not delay therapy. The treatment of choice is surgical transosseous refixation of the tendon at the upper patellar pole. Following surgery, a straight splint, partial weight bearing and limited mobility are required for 6-8 weeks., (© 2021. Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Avulsion injuries of the tendon-bone junction of the adductor longus are rare. Avulsions of the iliopsoas tendon insertion on the lesser trochanter are even rarer. Avulsion injuries of the adductor insertion occur predominantly in active athletes. Iliopsoas tendon avulsions are described mainly in nonathletes, in old age and frequently with no triggering event. In these cases possible underlying pathologies (e.g. tumor or metastases in the lesser trochanter) must be ruled out. In the literature no generally accepted recommendations for treatment of these injuries can be found because only a few retrospective anecdotal case reports and case studies have been published. For this reason, it is mostly unclear if and when a conservative or operative approach is indicated.A PubMed/Medline literature search resulted in 86 articles for iliopsoas avulsions and 155 hits for adductor tendon avulsions. Accordingly, both injuries can basically be treated conservatively. A surgical treatment is recommended only occasionally when conservative treatment fails and when the adductor insertion or the apophysis of the lesser trochanter is dislocated more than 2 cm after avulsion. Reinsertion for adductor longus tendon avulsion injuries is usually performed by open repair using various anchor systems, while extensive avulsion injuries or non-unions of the apophysis of the lesser trochanter are treated by refixation by cannulated screw systems or resection and anchor refixation of the tendon. The postoperative outcome in most cases is described as good or very good (excellent). No major complications were reported in both groups.

Background: Avulsion injuries of the proximal hamstring muscles are rare but very severe injuries to the dorsal thigh musculature., Objective: Due to improved diagnostics and experience in treatment, the decision for surgical treatment is becoming more and more frequent. Presentation of the surgical method, follow-up treatment and outcome., Material and Methods: Description of the anatomy, origin, diagnostics and treatment of avulsions of the hamstring musculature., Results: Due to improvement of knowledge and diagnostics, avulsion injuries of the hamstring muscles are identified more frequently. The rapid expansion of the diagnostics, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is decisive for a better identification of the extent and severity of the injury. Even if the differences in long-term results between surgical and conservative treatment are not significant in the literature, there is a clear improvement in function and resilience after surgical treatment of avulsion injuries of the hamstring muscles., Conclusion: In view of the poor results of nonsurgical treatment and the clearly positive reports of surgical success, open refixation is recommended for recent proximal hamstring ruptures.

Background: Injuries of the thigh muscles are among the most frequent sports injuries. For example, in soccer they represent nearly 30% of all injuries. The rectus femoris muscle is particularly exposed to injury due to its anatomical features. While distal ruptures involve the quadriceps tendon and are among the more frequent injuries not only in sports, proximal ruptures represent a rarity. Because of the mostly indifferent clinical signs, the diagnosis is often delayed. In the literature various versions of classifications on the grading of muscle injuries have been described., Objective: With respect to the rectus femoris muscle, there is no classification system from which a treatment decision or an algorithm can be derived. The problem is not only the unclear classification of the injury but also the variability of treatment options resulting from this., Material and Methods: A selective search of the literature was carried out to construct a review article., Results: No standardized follow-up treatment after surgical interventions or an established procedure for conservative treatment is currently available., Conclusion: The comparison of the individual studies is made difficult due to the low case numbers and nonuniform classification systems. A valid treatment algorithm can only be derived with difficulty based on the currently available data.

Peroneal tendon pathologies are rare but often underdiagnosed. There may be an association with chronic lateral ankle instability as well as with varus hindfoot alignment. Pathologies of the tendons fall into three categories: tendinitis and tenosynovitis, tendon ruptures and tears, and tendon subluxation and dislocation. Magnetic resonance imaging is the standard method for radiological assessment; however, the diagnosis and treatment are based primarily on patient history and clinical examination. A primary conservative treatment can be attempted, except for peroneal tendon dislocations in professional athletes. Surgical treatment should be targeted to the underlying pathology and can accordingly vary from tendoscopic synovectomy to anatomic repair of the superior peroneal retinaculum with deepening of the retromalleolar groove. Postoperative results show high patient satisfaction and low reluxation rates.

Background: Injuries to the hamstring muscles and tendon complex are among the most frequent muscular injuries with proximal hamstring tendon avulsion being a particularly severe form. The surgical treatment of these injuries is superior to conservative management with respect to patient satisfaction, recovery of muscle strength and function as well as return to sport rates. It is therefore the method of choice., Objective: Presentation and comparison of the surgical results after treatment with titanium, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and all suture anchors., Material and Methods: A systematic search was carried out in the PubMed medical database and the results are summarized., Results: All systems exhibit comparable biomechanical properties regarding elongation and ultimate failure load. Tendon repair with these anchors results in good to excellent clinical outcomes and shows high return to sport and low complication rates. Patient satisfaction after hamstring tendon repair is reported to be over 90% and return to sport rate is 80-100%. The muscle strength recovers to 80-90% in comparison to the contralateral side., Conclusion: All available anchors systems provide good to excellent clinical outcomes and an explicit advantage for one anchor system could so far not be shown.

Achilles tendon ruptures are among the most common ruptures of large tendons. Due to the vulnerable soft tissue there is a high risk of soft tissue defects. The combination of Achilles tendon ruptures and soft-tissue defects remains a challenge for the surgeon. Despite different treatment options there is a lack of structured treatment recommendation. By means of a systematic literature review and experience from our own clinic standard, an overview of the stepwise treatment options is presented. A treatment algorithm for reconstructive measures of Achilles tendon ruptures accompanied by soft-tissue defects according to the length of defect of the Achilles tendon, the size of the soft-tissue defect and patient-individual factors is developed. This is intended to serve the surgeon as a basis for decision making prior to application of therapy., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest./Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: Due to various functional impairments after primary extensor tendon repair or lack of treatment, secondary tendon reconstruction is often required. Anatomical considerations, the outcome of the injury and its treatment and the patients' individual demands on the function of the hand affect the choice of the procedure., Objective: Description of techniques for secondary reconstruction after extensor tendon injury in zones V-VII., Material and Methods: Overview of surgical treatment concepts for secondary extensor tendon repair in zones V-VII of the extensor tendons of the fingers and thumb. Discussion of alternative surgical techniques for secondary extensor tendon repair., Results: While techniques for reconstruction of sagittal band injuries are predominant in zone V, side-to-side tendon transfers, the use of tendon grafts and end-to-end tendon transfers prevail in zones VI-VII. The reconstruction of the extensor pollicis longus tendon function using transfer of the extensor indicis proprius tendon is the standard procedure., Conclusion: For secondary repair of an extensor tendon function, anatomical features and functional interaction of the extrinsic and intrinsic hand musculature need to be considered depending on the zone affected.

Due to the exposed situation of the extension side of the metacarpophalangeal joint when the fingers are bent, injuries in this region are not uncommon. The extensor apparatus lies directly below the skin and the various parts can be easily injured. Due to the complex anatomical structure, the different clinical appearances and the various forms of treatment, injuries of the extensor tendons in the region of the metacarpophalangeal joint must be examined in a very differentiated manner. The not uncommonly occurring deviation phenomenon makes all injuries in zone V suspicious and special attention must be paid to them. The alarming multitude of revision surgeries with tenolysis, arthrolysis and restoration of the balance of extensor tendons or centering show that these operations are much more demanding than the way they are appreciated in the literature and by many surgeons (beginner's operation). The article presents the surgical treatment with suture techniques and reconstruction possibilities as well as the aftercare, in addition to the special anatomy and diagnostics.

Injuries of the extensor tendon in zone I are frequently seen. If detected early and treated appropriately they are associated with good functional results. Open injuries are primarily treated surgically by suturing the injured tendon. Closed injuries without bone involvement are treated conservatively. In cases of bone involvement the treatment procedure is determined by the articulation and the extent of fragment displacement. This article presents the current state of knowledge on the diagnostics and treatment of extensor tendon injuries in zone I with the aim of providing treatment recommendations for the clinical routine.

Closed and open injuries of the extensor mechanism at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint can involve the central slip, the lateral slips or both. They are classified as zone III injuries. All open injuries on the dorsal side of the PIP joint should raise suspicion of an extensor tendon injury that is frequently overlooked. The operative strategy consists of wound revision with extensor tendon suture or refixation of the central slip. Acute closed central slip injuries are clinically diagnosed (Elson test) after ruling out bony injuries to the joint. Nondisplaced avulsions of the central slip insertion or lacerations can be treated nonoperatively by splinting. For displaced avulsions and complex injuries the treatment is surgical. In overlooked injuries a typical deformity (buttonhole/Boutonnière deformity) develops within 1-2 weeks that is characterized by an extension lag of the PIP joint and hyperextension at the distal interphalangeal joint. In early cases, when passive extension is still complete (mobile buttonhole deformity) the central slip can be immediately reconstructed. In fixed deformities complete passive extension of the PIP joint has to be restored before surgery by hand therapeutic measures or PIP joint release. Depending on the pattern of the injury and the resulting defects, a number of reconstructive techniques have been established that are summarized in this article. The functional results can be limited by tendon adhesions, imbalance within the reconstructed extensor apparatus and stiff joints that can all restrict the range of motion. Therefore, active rehabilitation protocols are mandatory for optimal results.

Extensor tendon injuries of the thumb include lesions of the tendons of the extensor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus muscles. The latter is practically only affected in open injuries. Open injuries require a tendon reconstruction by suture followed by immobilization in the distal and an adequate aftercare depending on the zone of injury. In distal injuries static splinting is applied, whereas proximal injuries from T4 on require a dynamic after-treatment. Different courses of the tendon of the extensor pollicis brevis muscle exist distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint and must be considered. The rare ruptures of the extensor hood at the metacarpophalangeal joint provoke an ulnar displacement of the extensor pollicis longus or both extensor tendons with concomitant lack of active extension in the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. This injury is often misdiagnosed as a rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint. It should be treated by refixation of the ruptured structures. Closed chronic ruptures of the extensor pollicis longus tendon go along with a defect that requires a tendon transfer or a tendon autograft.

Introduction: Chronic distal biceps tendon ruptures are rare and conservative or operative treatment options are suitable. There is a consensus in the literature in case of acute traumatic ruptures the operative refixation should be preferred. Disagreement exists in the best way of care of old ruptures (> 4 weeks) of distal biceps tendon. Several kinds of refixation possibilities up to tendon grafts are described. Aim of this publication is showing an overview of the literature of the approved methods in reconstruction of the distal biceps tendon using autogenous and allogenic grafts, comparing the outcomes and transferring them on an own case., Material and Methods: A literature research was carried out using the online medical database "PubMed" with the following keywords "chronic rupture distal biceps tendon, surgical techniques". 59 citations were found concerning the topic, 37 publications were relevant for this work., Results: There is consensus that even in chronic ruptures the operative management of the distal biceps tendon generates the best results. Consistently the experiences and results of only little patient collectives are reported. Numerous techniques of surgery are described without predominance of one method. Reinsertions of the tendon butts are reported in different techniques: with achilles, palmaris longus, fascia lata, triceps, quadriceps and semitendinosus tendon grafts. All together they showed postoperative satisfactory results., Conclusion: With surgical treatment of chronic ruptured distal biceps tendons comparable outcomes can be achieved by primary refixation and graft augmentations. In case of graft augmentations several tissue options are available which showed in all cases satisfactory functional results in the end., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest./Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: Ruptures of the Extensor pollicis longus tendon are commonly treated by Extensor indicis transfer using Pulvertaft suture technique. Current literature does not yet give evidence for a preferable post-operative therapy protocol. A side-to-side suture technique is significantly stronger than the Pulvertaft repair technique and therefore allows an immediate active postoperative treatment. We present a new postoperative protocol, which is simple, fast and safe, and should make treatment easier for patients and therapists., Patients and Methods: We treated 10 patients with a transfer of the extensor indicis tendon between 07/2016 and 08/2017 according to the new active protocol. Patients were seen for follow-up at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Thumb range of motion, pinch and grip strength as well as subjective parameters like pain and general satisfaction were measured., Results: All patients regained full function of their thumbs with retropulsion over the level of the palm at 4 weeks. Median pinch strength was 89 % and grip strength 74 % of the contralateral side at week 4. There was no secondary rupture of the reconstructed tendon over a one-year period. All patients were satisfied with the result of the operation and the protocol., Conclusion: Our new active postoperative protocol for extensor indicis transfer using a side-to-side suture has proven to be safe and less strenuous for patients and therapists and has been established as standard treatment in our clinic., Competing Interests: Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Ruptures of the distal biceps and triceps tendon are rare. Most frequently these injuries occur in men, athletes and patients with physically demanding work activities. This review article describes aetiology and pathogenesis as well as diagnostics, treatment options, the expected outcome and provides insights in our own approach., Competing Interests: Erklärung zu finanziellen Interessen Forschungsförderung erhalten: nein; Honorar/geldwerten Vorteil für Referententätigkeit erhalten: nein; Bezahlter Berater/interner Schulungsreferent/Gehaltsempfänger: ja; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an Firma (Nicht-Sponsor der Veranstaltung): nein; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an Firma (Sponsor der Veranstaltung): nein. Erklärung zu nichtfinanziellen Interessen Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

The extensor tendon apparatus is a network consisting of two different systems, an intrinsic and an extrinsic system, which are subdivided into eight different zones. Isolated injuries in zones 1 and 2 can be treated nonoperatively, whereas injuries in zones 3-8 usually require surgical treatment. A decision on the suture technique, suture material and postoperative follow-up care is made depending on the zone of the injury. The concomitant injuries of joints, bones, nerves and vessels must be taken into consideration and treated. The outcome of a tendon injury depends on the location and severity of the injury as well as the surgical technique and follow-up care. Exact knowledge of the anatomy with precise diagnostics, atraumatic, zone-dependent surgical and postoperative treatment, adequate rehabilitation and occupational therapy are essential for high quality management and preservation of fine motor skills and coordination of the whole hand.

Flexor tendon injuries of the hand are relatively rare but pose significant challenges to both physician and patient. A thorough clinical evaluation enables flexor tendon lacerations to be identified and classified. The flexor tendons of the hand are divided into five anatomic zones (from distal to proximal). Diagnostics, treatment and prognosis may differ depending on which zone is affected. Early, careful and proficient management is needed to ensure good functional outcomes. Various factors influence the outcome, including location, mechanism of injury, presence of concomitant injuries, time of surgery, quality of tendon repair and the rehabilitation protocol. It is important to inform the patient about the importance of thorough rehabilitation and possible complications. Postoperative scarring and adhesions, infections and secondary tendon ruptures due to insufficient primary repairs are especially challenging and potentially necessitate a lengthy and strenuous secondary repair and rehabilitation process.

Objective: Surgical refixation intends to restore the continuity of the hamstrings and anatomically reattach the torn tendons., Indications: In patients with 2‑tendon tear/ruptur with more than 2 cm retraction or with complete 3‑tendon tears, surgical fixation should be performed., Contraindications: Massive obesity, immobility., Surgical Technique: Surgery is performed via a transverse skin incision in the gluteal fold. Refixation of the torn tendons is achieved by means of suture anchors on the footprint of the ischial tuberosity., Postoperative Management: Postoperative treatment should be performed with a hip joint orthosis for 6 weeks, accompanied by physiotherapy., Results: Regarding surgical treatment, positive results are clearly described in the literature. Of the 31 patients who underwent surgery between 2010 and 2018, 90 % were satisfied with the surgical results 1 year postoperatively and 75 % reached their previous activity level.

Background: Unrestricted gliding of extensor and flexor tendons is essential for normal functioning of the hand. If tendon gliding is impaired, a restricted range of motion of finger joints and, finally, joint stiffness result., Objectives: To answer the questions about the causes of tenodesis in the hand, which examinations are most informative, how tenolysis is technically performed, and what results can be expected., Methods: The reasons, examinations, surgical technique, and results of extensor and flexor tendon tenolysis are presented., Results: Based on the data in the literature tenolysis of flexor tendons leads to range of motion that is only 50-60% of the preoperative range of motion. In about 20% of patients, deterioration as serious as secondary tendon rupture is observed. Meaningful results of extensor tendon tenolysis have not yet been published., Conclusions: Tenolysis of extensor and flexor tendons in the hand is a demanding surgical procedure, and in addition to detailed knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics, it requires sufficient experience-especially following the primary repair of tendon injuries. The earliest indication for tenolysis can occur at about 3 months, usually after 6 months, if continuous intensive hand therapy and splinting have not been successful. General and individual benefits and risks must be carefully weighed. The key to successful tenolysis is the patient's access to and unrestricted participation in competent postoperative treatment, ideally performed by a specialist in hand therapy, which may last for weeks or months.

Injuries of the thigh muscles are among the most common sports injuries. In soccer they represent nearly 30% of all injuries. The rectus femoris muscle in particular is often exposed to injuries due to its anatomical features. Versatile treatment strategies and posttreatment procedures are described in the literature, which take the type and duration of the injury and the physical constitution of the patient into consideration. This article presents the case of a 28-year-old hobby football player who suffered a proximal avulsion of a tendon of the rectus femoris muscle during a football match. After persistent complaints over 2 months operative treatment was performed by anchor refixation of the tendon. During the follow-up at 6 weeks postoperatively, there was a very good functional result with good mobility and only slightly reduced strength with early full load and movement. The anamnesis revealed no deficits in the side to side comparison 1.5 years after the trauma.

Background: Secondary reconstructions of flexor tendons are nowadays seldom - due to developments in primary repairs of flexor tendon. They are however indicated in complex cases. The results of a tertiary, supraregionally operating hand centre are presented. The results are compared with recent and historic published results., Patients and Methods: During a period of 11 years and with a total of 644 flexor tendon repairs, there have been 52 secondary flexor tendon reconstructions: 7 single staged reconstructions, 16 tendon transpositions and 29 two staged reconstructions. A total of 39 patients have been evaluated retrospectively using the system of Buck-Gramcko., Results: Excellent to good results have been achieved in 60 % of the single staged reconstructions. Functional = excellent to good results are found in 75 % of the transpositions. 50 % of the two staged reconstructions obtained a functional result. In total 58.5 % of the secondary flexor tendon reconstructions achieved a functional result according to the system of Buck-Gramcko., Conclusions: Secondary flexor tendon reconstructions make up about 7.5 % of all flexor tendon injuries. The functional results have changed little during the last decades and relevant improvement appears to be impossible. In comparison to primary suture of flexor tendons, the results are disappointing. The objective is to further optimize the primary repair of flexor tendons and consequently to reduce the need for secondary reconstructions., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Injuries to the flexor tendons in children are less common than in adults. The clinical examination and diagnostics require extensive experience. Leaving flexor tendons untreated will result in growth disorders of the affected finger. Therefore, the indications for operative exploration of any type of open injury in a child's hand should be liberally applied. As for adults the primary treatment of flexor tendon injuries as an emergency is rarely indicated. In the recent literature various tendon suture techniques and rehabilitation protocols have been differently assessed. According to the Ulm algorithm flexor tendon injuries in children are treated by a 2-strand core stitch technique followed by a continuous circular suture. Children under 6 years of age are postoperatively immobilized for 3 weeks with a fist bandage. Children older than 6 years are treated like adults with a dynamic aftercare as described by Kleinert for 5 weeks. The results are comparable with those of other aftercare protocols.

Normal function of the fingers and thumb depends on properly gliding flexor tendons and a free range of motion of the involved joints. This normal gliding function may be inhibited by adhesions due to damage of the tendon, tendon sheath and adjacent tissue. When digital function is still limited despite a long-term course of hand therapy and there are no signs of further improvement, surgical intervention should be considered. There are no absolute indications for tenoathrolysis of the flexor tendons. With respect to complications, such as secondary tendon rupture, loss of annular pulleys and scar formation, it is part of a stepwise reconstructive concept including further procedures, such as staged flexor tendon reconstruction. Important preconditions for tenoathrolysis are motivation of the patient, the possibility of readily available and frequent postoperative follow-up hand therapy, healed fractures and osteotomy, mature soft tissue, intact tendons and gliding tissue. Preoperatively, a maximum passive range of motion of the involved joints should be achieved. During the operative procedure all adhesive tissue surrounding the tendon within and outside the tendon sheath is consistently resected preserving the annular pulleys as far as possible. Therefore, extensive approaches, arthrolysis, dissolution of unfavorable scar tissue, resection of scarred lumbrical muscles and annular pulley reconstruction are frequently necessary. Salvage procedures, such as arthrodesis, amputation, ray resection or multistage flexor tendon reconstruction are recommended in failed cases and should be considered even preoperatively. In order to retain the intraoperative functional improvement hand therapy for at least 3-6 months should follow.

Background: The ideal surgical and postoperative treatment for flexor tendon injuries, especially in zone 2, is still subject to continuous modifications and professional discussions., Objective: Presentation of established rehabilitation concepts, specific problems and new treatment approaches with practical recommendations for application., Material and Methods: Comparison of commonly used treatment concepts by assessing surgical flexor tendon repair, splint choice and clinical application in patients. Discussion of new surgical approaches and standards and their influence on postoperative therapy after flexor tendon injuries., Results: The Washington regimen has retained its status as the standard in the current follow-up treatment of flexor tendon injuries. New suture materials and techniques enable early active rehabilitation of sutured flexor tendons with good clinical results, such as increased range of motion for interphalangeal joint extension and improved distal interphalangeal joint flexion with overall acceptable frequencies of suture rupture., Conclusion: A stable tendon repair with smooth gliding is the foundation for treatment after flexor tendon injuries. After intraoperative active digital extension-flexion testing of the sutured tendon an early active rehabilitation approach should follow. New splint designs in combination with primary stable tendon suture techniques have the potential to improve the postoperative outcome, presupposing a reliable cooperation of the patient.

The secondary reconstruction of flexor tendons is in most cases very demanding and tedious. The indications, selection of the correct surgical procedure, operative technique and further treatment have to be individually adjusted and are mostly very difficult. Due to the previous operations unpleasant surprises may occur intraoperatively, which must be recognized and treated by the surgeon. Nevertheless, a significant improvement of the function of the whole hand can be achieved for most patients, e.g. by a two-stage flexor tendon transplantation or other techniques described in this article.

Achilles tendon ruptures can be treated conservatively with a therapeutic shoe or an orthosis. Prospective randomized trials show comparable results to surgical treatment, with the right indications, correct performance and reasonable patient compliance. The target groups for conservative treatment are inactive patients and patients with substantial general risk factors. Surgical treatment of the Achilles tendon has changed over the decades. The direct open suture technique was replaced by minimally invasive procedures with percutaneous sutures. Chronic ruptures and/or defect situations that if untreated would lead to unstable healing, can be treated by an open reconstructive or minimally invasive procedure. Reconstructive techniques include turn-down flaps and aponeurotic reconstructive repair as well as a free tendon transfer using the flexor hallucis longus tendon or hamstrings. The gold standard for follow-up treatment is an early functional treatment.

Based on a case study, the injury pattern and surgical procedure for traumatic dislocation of the posterior tibial tendon is presented. A 32-year-old ice hockey player suffered a direct impact from a puck at the dorsomedial aspect of the inner ankle. In the course of the injury a ganglion developed due to recurrent dislocation of the posterior tibial tendon. Intraoperatively, a distracted retinaculum and a flattened retromalleolar sulcus were present. An open wedge osteotomy and suture anchor refixation of the retinaculum were performed. This procedure is described in the context of a review of the literature.

The Achilles tendon is the strongest tendon in the human body. Rupture of the Achilles tendon prevents the transmission of forces from the calf muscles to the foot and thus the push-off phase of walking and running is no longer possible. The diagnostics of Achilles tendon rupture are typically based on the symptoms and clinical examination. A palpable gap and the Thompson test are sometimes difficult to evaluate in situations with a large hematoma. Benchmarking for a definitive rupture is the inability to perform a one leg heel raise. Sonography is used to determine the localization of the Achilles tendon and during the dynamic examination enables detection of a possible adaptation of the tendon ends. A complete adaptation of the tendon ends gives the possibility of conservative treatment. Sonographic control examinations after 4 and 8 weeks document the course of healing. A visible increase in volume, especially at the rupture site confirms a normal course of healing. Magnetic resonance imaging enables verification of an Achilles tendon rupture and provides more information about the tendon structure.

Objective: To report a surgical technique for the treatment of patellar tendon ruptures augmented with an internal brace suture tape., Indications: Acute patellar tendon ruptures, fractures of the distal patellar pole, chronic insufficiency of the patellar tendon or revision surgery for failed repairs., Contraindications: Severe damage to the surrounding soft tissue. Local infection. Life-threatening conditions., Surgical Technique: Direct longitudinal anterior approach to the patellar tendon. Two parallel transosseous bone tunnels are drilled in the patella and tibial tuberosity with a 2.4 mm drill bit. Two separate FiberTapes® (Arthrex, Naples, FL; USA) are shuttled through the proximal and distal bone tunnels around the tendon in "X" and "O" type configuration. Patellar height is reestablished under fluoroscopic control and both FiberTapes are tied down. Both tendon ends are debrided and readapted with absorbable sutures., Postoperative Management: Passive motion exercise to 90° of flexion from day 1. Partial load to 20 kg of body weight with knee in locked full extension brace during first 2 weeks. Isometric exercises from week 3. Passive flexion to 110° from week 4 (adapted to pain). Free active range of motion and weight bearing from week 7., Results: In more than 10 years of clinical application, positive results were continuously found in acute as well as chronic patellar tendon ruptures. These results are consistent with those in the current literature.

Objective: Reconstruction of the chronic pectoralis major rupture with reconstruction of the anatomy and the original initial length of the muscle-tendon unit as well as the full strength., Indications: Basically all chronic tears of the pectoralis major, causing discomfort., Contraindications: Infections and tumors in the operation area., Surgical Technique: Skin incision medial to the anterior axillary line about 6 cm long in the split lines of the skin. Locate and sharply mobilize the muscle stump. Preparation of the crest of the greater tubercle and positioning 2-4 JuggerKnots® (Zimmer Biomet, Warsaw, IN, USA). In adduction and internal rotation, reinsert the muscle. In case of chronic tears possibly interposition or augmentation of a tendon auto- or allograft., Postoperative Management: Immobilization in a sling for 6 weeks without mobilization. From week 7, no-load mobilization. Weight load building from week 13., Results: In a prospective study, 25 patients with chronic pectoralis major tears were reconstructed with 18 allografts and 7 autografts. According to Bak et al. the clinical outcome was good and very good in 92% of cases, but the complication rate was high at 24%. The secondary reconstruction of the chronic tear shows good and very good results even after years.

Objective: Minimally invasive endoscopic reconstruction of avulsion injuries of the proximal hamstring insertion to prevent persistent weakness and pain., Indications: Fresh retracted 2‑ and 3‑tendon avulsion injuries of the proximal hamstring insertion. Unsuccessful conservative therapy of less retracted injuries. Painful chronic partial lesions of the proximal hamstring insertion., Contraindications: Major comorbidities with an increased surgical risk, older patients with low functional demands. Chronic injuries without functional deficits., Surgical Technique: Endoscopic refixation using suture anchors after freshening the footprint on the tuber ischiadicum. Visualization of the sciatic nerve to ensure its protection., Postoperative Management: Partial loading with a knee brace for strict prevention of combined knee extension and hip flexion for 4-6 weeks. Start of active exercise and stretching 8 weeks postoperatively., Results: From 2014-2016, 12 patients were treated with an endoscopic reconstruction of the proximal hamstring insertion. After a mean follow-up of 25 months (range 16-34 months), an average visual analog scale (VAS) of 0 (range 0-2) and an average subjective assessment of function (Subjective Hip Value) of 94% (range 80-100%) were found. No neurovascular complications were seen in our collective, in particular no evidence of hypesthesia in the area of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. All patients were able to return to their original level of activity (Tegner Activity Scale 5.2 preoperatively vs. 5.2 postoperatively), while the average time until return to sport was 6.5 months (range 3-12 months). All patients were able to return to their original occupation.

Ruptures of the extensor mechanism of the knee joint are rare but disabling injuries. Injuries occur on the basis of degeneration or acute trauma. The understanding of anatomy and biomechanical function plays an essential role for choosing the right diagnostic methods and initiating successful treatment. Besides clinical examination ultrasound is a cost efficient primary diagnostic measure. Additional MRI can be beneficial for partial tears or chronic ruptures. Non-operative treatment is suitable for minor partial ruptures with sustained function. The most common methods for reattachment of the quadriceps and patellar tendon are either sutures placed through transpatellar drill holes or the use of suture anchors. For chronic ruptures various methods have been shown to be well accomplished. Most commonly local tendon flaps or harvested tendon transplants have shown good clinical outcomes. Early primary repair leads to mainly good functional outcomes. The results of chronic disruptions of the extensor mechanism of the knee vary widely., Competing Interests: Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt vorliegt., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: Reconstruction of tendon integrity to maintain glenohumeral joint centration and hence to restore shoulder functional range of motion and to reduce pain., Indications: Isolated or combined full-thickness subscapularis tendon tears (≥upper two-thirds of the tendon) without both substantial soft tissue degeneration and cranialization of the humeral head., Contraindications: Chronic tears of the subscapularis tendon with higher grade muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration, and static decentration of the humeral head., Surgical Technique: After arthroscopic three-sided subscapularis tendon release, two double-loaded suture anchors are placed medially to the humeral footprint. Next to the suture passage, the suture limbs are tied and secured laterally with up to two knotless anchors creating a transosseous-equivalent repair., Postoperative Management: The affected arm is placed in a shoulder brace with 20° of abduction and slight internal rotation for 6 weeks postoperatively. Rehabilitation protocol including progressive physical therapy from a maximum protection phase to a minimum protection phase is required. Overhead activities are permitted after 6 months., Results: While previous studies have demonstrated superior biomechanical properties and clinical results after double-row compared to single-row and transosseous fixation techniques, further mid- to long-term clinical investigations are needed to confirm these findings.

Background: Operative refixation is a new therapeutic option in cases of failed conservative treatment for trochanteric pain syndrome (TPS) and lesions of the hip abductors in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)., Objective: Evaluation of the clinical and radiological results after open gluteus medius and minimus tendon reconstruction with a double-row technique was carried out., Material and Methods: Patients with failed conservative treatment for TPS and confirmed lesions of the hip abductors in MRI were treated by open hip abductor tendon reconstruction with a double-row technique. The patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively (minimum follow-up 12 months) using the modified Harris hip score (mHHS) and a subjective score (subjective hip value, SHV). Preoperative and postoperative MRI evaluation included measurement of hip abductor muscle diameter and cross-sectional area as well as fatty degeneration., Results: In this study 12 consecutive cases of open reconstruction of the hip abductor tendons were included. There was a significant improvement in the mHHS. In one case the patient showed an atraumatic rupture in the proximal anchor row. The MRI showed a significant improvement in muscle diameter and cross-sectional area for the gluteus medius muscle of the affected and the contralateral side, while the degree of fatty degeneration did not improve. The fatty degeneration showed a significant correlation with the postoperative results in the mHHS and the SHV., Conclusion: Operative reconstruction of lesions in the hip abductor tendons is a therapy option with significant improvement of patient satisfaction and functional scores as well as muscle diameter and cross-sectional area for the gluteus medius. The degree of fatty degeneration and possible differential diagnoses need to be taken into consideration.