Serum cholesterol is elevated in patients with Achilles tendon ruptures

Abstract

Forty-one patients were analyzed after surgical treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures. The following parameters served as the outcome measure: (1) duration of wearing cast, (2) length of hospital stay, (3) outpatient treatment, (4) time of absence from work, (5) complications, (6) re-rupture rate, (7) subjective evaluation by patients, (8) scar condition, (9) ability to stand on tiptoes, (10) Thompson test, (11) movement of talocrural joint, (12) circumference data of lower extremity, (13) radiographs, (14) power measurement of the ankle (in kg), (15) ultrasound examination, (16) blood cholesterol levels, (17) scoring by Trillat's score. Surgical treatment achieved an excellent or good outcome in 91% of patients as evidenced by the Trillat score. Furthermore, cholesterol levels were found to be elevated in 83% of patients. Given the good results, surgical treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures is recommended, but patients of status post-Achilles tendon rupture should be checked for high cholesterol levels. In the future, controlled, prospective trials need to prove a correlation between Achilles tendon rupture and a pathological blood lipid status.

The Effect of Hypercholesterolemia on Rotator Cuff Disease

“…This finding is not surprising given high serum TC concentrations can contribute to the development of Achilles tendon ruptures [11]. Mathiak et al reported that 83% of patients with Achilles tendon ruptures had elevated serum cholesterol levels; interestingly, only 19% were aware of their disease [8]. Klemp et al reported 38% of patients with juvenile familial hypercholesterolemia had musculoskeletal system manifestations [7].…”

Adiposity and tendinopathy

“…There is a reported association between tendon health and high cholesterol [45,46], although most of these studies have limitations in methodology. In addition, familial hypercholesterolemia (extremely high and sustained serum lipid levels) is associated with tendon disease/rupture [47 -49], which suggests that systemic lipids negatively affect tendons.…”

Does Hypercholestolemia Predispose to Rotator Cuff Pathologies?

“…Study done by Mathiak et al found high cholesterol in 83% of people with Achilles tendon ruptures [11]. Klemp et al showed musculoskeletal manifestation found in 38% of juvenile hypercholesterolemia and showed soft tissue manifestation resolved in 63% of patients after receiving antilipidemics [27].…”

“…In substantiating risk factors for cuff pathology, studies were done; there were few studies which showed raised serum cholesterol in patients with Achilles tendon ruptures [11]. This study was performed in the western world and patients with rotator cuff tear were found to be hypercholesterolemic [4].…”