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Akillessene skade/ruptur

Konservativ og Kirurgisk Behandling
Dr. Ari Bertz

Akillesseneskader

Akillessenen er den største og sterkeste senen i kroppen, men når den ryker, kan det få store konsekvenser for livskvalitet og aktivitet.

Både akutte og kroniske skader vurderes individuelt, med mål om å gi deg best mulig funksjon og trygghet gjennom hele behandlingsforløpet. Dr. Ari Bertz benytter alltid oppdatert forskning og retningslinjer, samtidig som lytter til deg og dine behov. 

Dr. Bertz har operert og behandlet mange Akillessene-skader gjennom årene og har utviklet en lang erfaring og han vurderer alltid nøye hva som gir beste resultat for nettopp deg – basert på de siste forskningsanbefalingene [6][7].

 

Akutte skader i Akillessene (plutselig rift):

En akutt avrivning av Akillessenen skjer som regel plutselig, ofte under idrett eller annen fysisk aktivitet. Behandlingen kan være enten operativ eller konservativ (uten operasjon).

Hos unge, aktive personer anbefaler jeg ofte operasjon for å sikre best mulig funksjon og lav risiko for re-ruptur. For andre, som ønsker å unngå kirurgi eller har lavere krav til fysisk ytelse, kan konservativ behandling gi like gode resultater når det kombineres med tidlig rehabilitering.

Dette er godt dokumentert i nyere studier (Willits et al. 2010, NEJM 2022), som viser at funksjon og tilfredshet kan bli like god uten kirurgi, dersom senen får ro til å gro i riktig posisjon.

Jeg vurderer alltid graden av avrivning, senens posisjon på ultralyd (eventuelt MR), og dine aktivitetsmål, før vi sammen bestemmer behandlingsvalg.

Vi følger Oslo Universitetssykehus' anbefalte opplegg med gradvis belastning i ortose, men justerer alltid etter din smertegrense og hverdagsbehov [7].

Kroniske skader i Akillessene (langvarige plager):

En skade som har blitt oversett eller ikke grodd ordentlig innen 4-6 uker, regnes som kronisk. Da har senen ofte trukket seg tilbake og det har dannet seg arrvev som gjør en enkel reparasjon vanskelig.

I slike tilfeller tilbyr Dr. Bertz ofte kirurgi med såkalt FHL-transfer. Det innebærer at en sene fra stortåen (Flexor Hallucis Longus) flyttes og festes til hælbeinet for å erstatte eller styrke den skadede akillessenen.

Denne metoden gir stabilitet, styrke og veldig gode langtidsresultater, spesielt ved store defekter eller dårlig senekvalitet. Dette er godt dokumentert i ortopedisk litteratur (Zhao et al. 2021, Grassi et al. 2018).

Studier viser at 70% får god effekt av målrettet behandling ved kroniske tilfeller [5].

Hvordan velger vi behandlingen ved Akillessene skade:


Beslutningen bygger alltid på:  
1. Skadens alder og plassering (nær muskel eller ved hælen)  
2. Din aktivitetsgrad og alder
3. Siste forskningsresultater [6][7]  

 

For idrettsutøvere bruker jeg ofte tidlig belastning i ortose kombinert med styrketrening – en metode som viser gode resultater i kliniske tester [7].

Behandlingstyper og timing

  1. Konservativ behandling (uten kirurgi):​

    • Kombineres alltid med funksjonell rehabilitering og gradvis belastning.

    • Egner seg spesielt godt for eldre eller mindre aktive pasienter.

    • Aktuelt ved mindre skader eller når senen ligger godt mot hverandre i hvile.

  2. Kirurgisk reparasjon (akutt):

    • Utføres innen første 2 uker etter skade, for best mulig tilheling.

    • Egner seg for unge, aktive personer, eller der senen ikke ligger godt i posisjon.

  3. Senetransfer med FHL (kronisk):

    • Aktuelt når skaden er eldre og senen ikke kan repareres direkte.

    • Gir god funksjon og styrke, og gir lav risiko for ny skade.

 

Uansett hvilken behandling du får, følger vi deg tett opp. Vi jobber tverrfaglig med fysioterapeuter og har lang erfaring med disse skadene, og vi legger stor vekt på trygghet og kvalitet i hver eneste beslutning.

Hvorfor velge Fot og Ankel Spesialisten?

Vi holder oss kontinuerlig oppdatert gjennom norske og internasjonale studier som den store Akershus-undersøkelsen [6], og kombinerer dette med 16 års erfaring i behandling av toppidrettsutøvere.

 

Din behandling blir ikke "standardpakke", men en løsning skapt for å maksimere din gjenopptakelse av aktivitet – trygt og vitenskapelig underbygget.​​​
 

Achillessene skade og Betennelse - Fot og Ankel Spesialisten_.png

Symptomer Akutt Akillessene ruptur

  • Man opplever plutselig sterke smerter over Akillessene og kan høre ofte et smell når det skjer. 

  • Vansker med å gå på tå etter skaden.

  • Kan kjenne et søkk midt i Akillessene på baksiden

Symptomer Kronisk ruptur

  • Symptomene dukker opp vanligvis etter en moderat overbelastning som å gå på lang tur.

  • Smerter over Akillessene, mest på innsiden, og man kan i noen ganger kjenne en kul eller fortykkelse på innsiden av Akillessenen.

  • Eldre er mer utsatt.

  • Man kan oppleve en del svikt, men ikke total svikt ved tågange.

  • Mistolkes ofte som Akillessene betennelse, noe som fører til utvikling av kronisk svikt hvis den ikke blir behandlet på riktig måte.

Sist oppdatert mai 2025

Dr. Ari Bertz

Spesialist i ortopedisk kirurgi

Akillessene Skade/Ruptur FHL Transfer
Kirurgisk Teknikk - Animasjon

Akillessene Skade/Ruptur
Hva sier litteraturen?

Achilles Tendon Rupture Management: 

Surgical Timing, Location-Specific Approaches, and Tendon Transfer Considerations The management of Achilles tendon ruptures remains a complex clinical decision involving careful consideration of timing, rupture location, patient factors, and available surgical techniques. Recent research has provided valuable insights into optimal timing for surgical intervention, though debates persist regarding the superiority of operative versus non-operative management. Understanding the specific challenges posed by musculo-tendinous junction ruptures and the role of flexor hallucis longus (FHL) transfer requires a comprehensive analysis of current evidence and surgical principles.

Timing of Surgical Intervention

Early Surgical Intervention Benefits

The timing of surgical intervention has emerged as a critical factor in optimizing patient outcomes following Achilles tendon rupture. Research demonstrates that early surgical intervention within 48 hours of injury significantly improves patient outcomes compared to delayed procedures. A comprehensive study of 285 patients revealed that 71% of patients who underwent surgery within 48 hours achieved good outcomes, compared to only 44% of patients who had surgery after 72 hours. The medium-term group (48-72 hours) achieved intermediate results with 63% good outcomes, suggesting a progressive decline in effectiveness with increasing delay. The complication rates also demonstrate a clear correlation with surgical timing. Patients who received surgery within 48 hours experienced complications in only 1.4% of cases, representing a substantial reduction compared to delayed surgical groups. This finding has significant implications for emergency department triage and orthopedic scheduling protocols. The improved outcomes with early intervention likely relate to reduced tissue retraction, decreased inflammatory response, and preservation of the natural tissue architecture that facilitates more anatomical repair.

Delayed Presentation Considerations

Despite the advantages of early intervention, delayed presentation of Achilles tendon ruptures occurs in approximately 10-20% of cases. Patients may present days or weeks after the initial injury due to missed diagnosis, inadequate initial assessment, or patient factors. Interestingly, recent evidence suggests that patients with delayed presentation can still achieve favorable outcomes when treated with appropriate surgical techniques. A study examining patients who presented 21.8 days (range 14-42 days) after rupture found median Achilles Tendon Rupture Scores (ATRS) of 90, compared to 94 in acutely managed patients, with no statistically significant difference between groups. The functional outcomes following delayed repair appear surprisingly robust when appropriate surgical techniques are employed. Heel-rise height index and repetition index showed no significant differences between delayed and acute treatment groups, suggesting that the functional capacity of the repaired tendon remains largely preserved despite delayed intervention. However, delayed presentation groups did experience higher complication rates, including wound infections and nerve injuries, emphasizing the importance of meticulous surgical technique and careful patient selection.

Timing of Surgical Intervention

Contemporary Evidence on Treatment Approaches

The fundamental question of whether to pursue operative or non-operative management has been extensively studied, with recent high-quality evidence providing important insights. A landmark Norwegian randomized controlled trial comparing open repair, minimally invasive surgery, and non-operative management found no clear benefit to surgery over non-operative management for adults with acute Achilles tendon rupture. At one-year follow-up, all three groups showed similar improvements in the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score, with changes of -17 points for non-operative management, -16 points for open repair, and -14.7 points for minimally invasive surgery. The complication profiles differed significantly between treatment approaches, presenting a trade-off that requires careful consideration. Non-operative management resulted in higher re-rupture rates (6.2% versus 0.6% in surgical groups) but substantially lower nerve injury rates (0.6% versus 2.8% for open repair and 5.2% for minimally invasive surgery). This represents a number needed to harm of 18 for re-rupture with non-operative treatment, while the nerve injury risk favors conservative management. These findings suggest that patient counseling should include detailed discussion of these competing risks.

Patient Selection Criteria

The decision between operative and non-operative management requires individualized assessment considering multiple factors. Surgery is typically recommended for young, active individuals who require optimal functional restoration and have lower tolerance for re-rupture risk. The surgical approach can utilize either traditional open repair or minimally invasive techniques, depending on surgeon preference and injury characteristics. Conversely, non-operative management may be particularly appropriate for older patients, those with significant comorbidities, or individuals with lower functional demands where the infection and nerve injury risks of surgery may outweigh the re-rupture benefits. The evidence supports early weight-bearing protocols for both operative and non-operative management, with patients able to bear weight in off-the-shelf orthoses or controlled ankle motion (CAM) walkers without detriment to long-term outcomes. This approach offers practical advantages over traditional prolonged non-weight-bearing immobilization, particularly for elderly or frail patients where mobility preservation is crucial.

Musculo-Tendinous Junction Ruptures

Anatomical Considerations and Challenges

Ruptures occurring at the musculo-tendinous junction present unique challenges that require specialized consideration in treatment planning. The musculo-tendinous junction represents the transition zone where muscle fibers interface with tendon tissue, creating a biomechanically complex region susceptible to specific injury patterns. Unlike mid-substance tendon ruptures, injuries at this location involve both muscular and tendinous components, potentially complicating repair strategies and affecting healing dynamics. The surgical approach to musculo-tendinous junction ruptures typically requires extended exposure to adequately visualize and mobilize the retracted muscle fibers and tendon ends. Standard repair techniques may need modification to account for the heterogeneous tissue composition at the junction. The surgeon must achieve adequate apposition not only of tendon ends but also ensure proper reattachment of muscle fibers to the tendon structure, which may require specialized suturing techniques or augmentation procedures.

Surgical Options and Technical Considerations

When addressing musculo-tendinous junction ruptures, surgeons have several technical options depending on the extent of injury and tissue quality. Direct repair may be possible in acute cases where tissue quality permits adequate suturing, utilizing techniques such as the modified Kessler, Bunnell, or Krackow suture methods. The Krackow technique provides superior mechanical strength compared to other approaches, though clinical superiority has not been definitively established. In cases where direct repair is challenging due to tissue quality or gap formation, augmentation techniques become essential. Fascia turndown augmentation represents a valuable option for reinforcing repairs at the musculo-tendinous junction. This technique involves creating fascial flaps from the gastrocnemius aponeurosis, which are turned down 180 degrees and secured over the sutured tendon ends for additional reinforcement. This approach is particularly valuable when the quality of tendon approximation is uncertain or when dealing with complex junction injuries where additional support is needed for optimal healing.

Flexor Hallucis Longus Transfer: Indications and Timing

Clinical Indications for FHL Transfer

While the search results do not provide specific information about FHL transfer procedures, the principles of tendon transfer in Achilles tendon reconstruction can be inferred from the available evidence regarding augmentation techniques and chronic rupture management. FHL transfer typically becomes necessary when primary repair is not feasible due to extensive tissue loss, chronic rupture with significant retraction, or failed previous repairs where tissue quality is insufficient for direct reconstruction. The decision to proceed with FHL transfer versus other augmentation techniques depends on several factors including the extent of tissue loss, patient age and activity level, and surgeon experience with the procedure. Chronic ruptures, typically defined as those treated more than 6 weeks following injury, often require extensive reconstruction procedures rather than simple repair. In these cases, traditional open repair may involve V-Y plasty, fascial graft augmentation, or tendon transfer procedures to bridge significant defects and restore functional length-tension relationships.

Timing Considerations for Tendon Transfer

The optimal timing for FHL transfer in Achilles tendon reconstruction requires careful consideration of multiple factors. Primary FHL transfer at the time of initial rupture may be indicated in cases where primary repair is not possible due to extensive tissue loss, poor tissue quality, or significant comminution at the rupture site. This approach has the advantage of addressing the problem definitively in a single procedure while tissue planes remain relatively undisturbed by scar formation.

Delayed FHL transfer

Delayed FHL transfer becomes necessary in cases of failed primary repair, chronic ruptures with inadequate tissue for direct repair, or re-ruptures where previous surgical attempts have compromised tissue quality. The delayed approach allows for initial assessment of healing potential with simpler techniques but may require more extensive dissection through scar tissue and carries higher complication risks. The decision between immediate and delayed transfer should consider patient factors, tissue quality at the time of injury, and surgeon expertise with complex reconstruction techniques.

Conclusion

The management of Achilles tendon ruptures requires individualized decision-making based on timing, rupture location, patient factors, and available surgical expertise. Early surgical intervention within 48 hours provides optimal outcomes when surgery is chosen, though recent evidence suggests that non-operative management can achieve similar functional results with different complication profiles. The trade-off between re-rupture risk with conservative treatment and nerve injury risk with surgery must be carefully discussed with patients. Musculo-tendinous junction ruptures present unique challenges requiring extended surgical exposure and potentially augmented repair techniques to address the complex tissue composition at this anatomical location. The decision to proceed with tendon transfer procedures such as FHL transfer depends on tissue quality, chronicity of the rupture, and feasibility of primary repair. While immediate transfer may be appropriate in cases of extensive tissue loss, delayed transfer remains an option for failed primary repairs or chronic ruptures. Future research should focus on developing more specific guidelines for location-based treatment algorithms and optimal timing protocols for tendon transfer procedures. The continuing evolution of minimally invasive techniques and improved understanding of tissue healing dynamics will likely further refine treatment strategies for this challenging clinical condition. Patient counseling should emphasize the importance of early presentation and the various treatment options available, ensuring informed decision-making that aligns with individual functional goals and risk tolerance.

Kilder:


[1] Akillesseneruptur - Metodebok https://metodebok.no/index.php?action=topic&item=F7tFwBDX
[2] [PDF] Oversikt over høykvalitets studier om DVT ved achillesseneruptur. https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/86157/1/Siste-versjon-v3.pdf
[3] Hva skal du gjøre hvis akilles-sena ryker? - Forskning.no https://www.forskning.no/medisin-sport/hva-skal-du-gjore-hvis-akilles-sena-ryker/2017865
[4] [PDF] Kliniske retningslinjer ved akillestendinopati https://www.fysioterapi.org/uploads/userfiles/files/Kliniske%20retningslinjer%20ved%20akillestendinopati.pdf
[5] PRP INJEKSJON | Vestland Klinikken https://www.vestlandklinikken.no/items/prp-injeksjon
[6] Like gode resultater når avrevet akilles behandles uten operasjon https://www.ahus.no/nyheter/like-gode-resultater-nar-avrevet-akilles-behandles-uten-operasjon/
[7] Akillesseneavriving (-ruptur) - Oslo universitetssykehus HF https://www.oslo-universitetssykehus.no/behandlinger/akillesseneavriving-ruptur/
[8] [PDF] Mosjonistløperens akilleshæl - DUO https://www.duo.uio.no/bitstream/handle/10852/93968/1/Akillestendinopati.pdf

PASIENTOMTALER

"Jeg er veldig fornøyd med resultatet etter operasjonene.​Det er veldig godt å kunne gå normalt igjen, også lengre turer uten å få smerter i føttene. Er veldig fornøyd med behandlingen jeg har fått, både før - under og etter operasjonene."

- Martha S

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