Calcaneal Tuberosity Fracture With Complete Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Unique Surgical Challenge

Abstract

A calcaneal tuberosity avulsion fracture occurring simultaneously with a rupture of the Achilles tendon, although occurring through similar mechanisms, is a rare injury pattern to see in combination and presents a unique challenge to the surgeon. The patient we present was initially found to have a type II fracture of the calcaneal tuberosity. However, during surgical fixation of the fracture, a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon was noticed.The technique used in this case was the fixation of the fracture fragment with two 5 mm fully threaded screws. The tendon was then reattached to the calcaneus using two Mitek anchors (DePuy Mitek Inc., MA, USA) with a modified Bunnell technique. There are a number of techniques suggested in the literature, including, among others, K-wires (DePuy Mitek Inc., MA, USA) and screw fixation. Our patient recovered well and has now been discharged from further orthopaedic follow-up.