An interventional study of Percutaneous Surgical Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture and Open Surgical Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture in Patients With an Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture and Time From Achilles Tendon Rupture to Surgery of Less Than 2 Weeks, sponsored by University Hospital, Strasbourg, France. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in France. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 55 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-03.
Sponsored by University Hospital, Strasbourg, France · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This study aims to compare early functional outcomes and postoperative complications following open versus percutaneous repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures in patients younger than 55 years admitted to Hautepierre Hospital. It will assess whether percutaneous repair reduces skin-related complications and whether open repair provides better early muscle strength recovery.
Acute Achilles tendon rupture is a common injury that may require surgical treatment. Two main surgical techniques are used: open repair and percutaneous repair. Although both aim to restore tendon continuity and function, they may differ in terms of postoperative complications, muscle strength recovery, and functional rehabilitation.
The aim of this study is to compare early functional outcomes and postoperative complications following open versus percutaneous surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures. The study hypothesizes that percutaneous repair may reduce skin-related complications, including delayed wound healing and surgical site infection, whereas open repair may provide better early recovery of muscle strength and facilitate rehabilitation.
The study will include patients younger than 55 years admitted to Hautepierre Hospital with an acute Achilles tendon rupture who meet the eligibility criteria and have no predefined exclusion criteria. The findings may help determine whether one surgical technique offers advantages over the other and contribute to optimizing the management of acute Achilles tendon ruptures.
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Male or female patients aged 18 to 55 years, inclusive.
Patients with an Achilles tendon rupture diagnosed clinically and confirmed by imaging (ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) when necessary.
Patients for whom surgical management has been decided by a multidisciplinary trauma team meeting.
Time between Achilles tendon rupture and surgery of less than 2 weeks.
Patients able to understand the objectives and risks of the study and to provide dated and signed informed consent.
Patients affiliated with, or beneficiaries of, a social security system.
Exclusion Criteria:
Corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in the vicinity of the Achilles tendon within 6 months before the Achilles tendon rupture.
Chronic Achilles tendinopathy.
History of a previous nonoperatively treated ipsilateral Achilles tendon rupture.
History of ipsilateral Achilles tendon surgery.
Use of a walking aid before the Achilles tendon rupture.
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Classification of III or higher.
Skin lesions in the surgical area (e.g., open wounds or abrasions).
Inability to speak either English or French.
Achilles tendon laceration caused by a sharp object.
Patients under judicial protection or subject to a guardianship or curatorship measure.
Inability to provide informed consent (e.g., emergency circumstances or difficulties understanding the study information).
Patients subject to a legal protection measure, including curatorship, guardianship, a future protection mandate, or family authorization.
Patients currently within an exclusion period from a previous study.
Psychiatric disorders.
Participants with an acute Achilles tendon rupture randomized to undergo percutaneous surgical repair.
Procedure: Percutaneous Surgical Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture
Participants with an acute Achilles tendon rupture randomized to undergo open surgical repair.
Procedure: Open Surgical Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture
Surgical repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture using a percutaneous technique.
Surgical repair of an acute Achilles tendon rupture using an open surgical technique.
Change in Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) From 3 to 6 Months Postoperatively
The Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) is a validated patient-reported outcome measure assessing symptoms and physical activity limitations following Achilles tendon rupture. The score ranges from 0 to 100 points, with higher scores indicating fewer symptoms and better function. The change in score will be calculated as the 6-month score minus the 3-month score and compared between the percutaneous surgery and open surgery groups.
Time frame: 3 months and 6 months postoperatively.
Change in European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) Score From 3 to 6 Months Postoperatively
The European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) score is a patient-reported outcome measure assessing foot and ankle function. The score will be recorded using the questionnaire version specified in the study protocol, with a total score ranging from 0 to 40 points according to the study questionnaire. Higher scores indicate better function, provided this is consistent with the scoring instructions for the version used. The change in score will be calculated as the 6-month score minus the 3-month score and compared between the percutaneous surgery and open surgery groups.
Time frame: 3 months and 6 months postoperatively.
Change in Return to Sport after Injury (RSI) Score From 3 to 6 Months Postoperatively
Psychological readiness to return to sport will be assessed using a 12-item patient-reported questionnaire administered at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Each item is rated from 0 to 10, giving a maximum raw total score of 120 points. Higher scores indicate greater psychological readiness to return to sport. The change in score will be calculated as the 6-month score minus the 3-month score and compared between patients undergoing percutaneous surgery and those undergoing open surgery.
Time frame: 3 months and 6 months postoperatively
Plan to share: No — No individual participant data will be shared. Study results may be disseminated through scientific publications and presentations, without disclosing personally identifiable information.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Start is estimated for Nov 2026; primary completion for Nov 2028, 24 months later.
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