Objective  To explore the effect of modified percutaneous minimally invasive repair surgery on ankle joint function of patients with acute closed rupture of Achilles's tendon.

  Methods  The clinical materials of 63 patients with acute closed rupture of Achilles's tendon were retrospectively analyzed, and all of them were treated with modified percutaneous minimally invasive repair surgery. The excellent and good rate, operation time, incision length, average hospital stay and incidence rate of complication after treatment were observed. American Society of Foot and Ankle Surgery (AOFAS) score, Achilles's tendon complete rupture score (ATRS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score at the time points of before operation and 1 month, 3 and 7 months after operation were compared. Correlations between AOFAS score and ATRS score as well as VAS score were analyzed. Ankle plantar flexor strength, ankle range of motion and Achilles tendon length at 1 month, 3 and 7 months after surgery were observed.

  Results  The excellent and good rate of 63 patients after modified percutaneous minimally invasive repair surgery was 92.06%. Operation time, incision length and average hospital stay were (33.72±6.52) min, (2.45±0.52) cm and (3.14±0.32) d, respectively. No complications such as infection, Achilles's tendon tear and Achilles's tendon re-rupture were observed after operation. In the postoperative follow up of 7 months, the type B ultrasound, MRI and other imaging examinations showed that the Achilles's tendon on the affected side was repaired well, and the broken end of Achilles's tendon had good continuity. One way ANOVA showed that the AOFAS score and ATRS score at 1, 3 and 7 months after surgery were significantly higher than those before surgery, while the VAS score was significantly lower than that before surgery (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that AOFAS score was positively correlated with ATRS score (r=0.902, P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with VAS score (r=-0.676, P < 0.05). One way ANOVA showed that the ankle plantar flexor strength, ankle range of motion and Achilles's tendon length at 7 months after surgery were significantly higher than those at 1 month and 3 months after surgery (P < 0.05). The satisfaction degree of patients after treatment was 88.89%.

  Conclusion  Modified percutaneous minimally invasive repair surgery is effective in the treatment of patients with acute closed rupture of Achilles's tendon, which has the advantages of less injury, short operation time and rapid postoperative recovery.