Effect of Modified Bunnell Suture on Mechanical Property and Healing of Achilles Tendon in Patients with Acute Closed Achilles Tendon Rupture

WENG Lifang; TANG Shunmei; RUAN Yuanfang; WANG Xinbiao; LIN Min; GUO Jiayong; HE Zhensen; WENG Zhen

doi:10.14033/j.cnki.cfmr.2025.06.018

Abstract：Objective:To investigate the effect of modified Bunnell suture on mechanical property and healing of Achilles tendon in patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture.Method:Sixty-two patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture who received minimally invasive surgery in the First Hospital of Putian City from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the study objects,and were divided into control group and observation group according to random number table method,with 31 cases in each group.The traditional Bunnell suture was used in the control group,and the double improved Bunnell suture was used in the observation group.Operation time,postoperative healing time of Achilles tendon and pain degree[visual analogue scale(VAS)]were compared between the two groups.Ankle function[plantar flexion motion,American orthopedic foot and anklesociety(AOFAS),Achilles Tendon Complete rupture Achillestendon Total Rupture Score(ATRS)]and incidence of postoperative complications(such as incisions infection,incisions bleeding,sural nerve injury,Achilles tendon adhesion,etc.).Result:There was no significant difference in pain degree and ankle joint function between the two groups before surgery(P>0.05).The operative time and postoperative healing time of Achilles tendon in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group,the VAS score and postoperative complication rate were lower than those in the control group,and the postoperative ankle dorsalis,plantar flexor mobility,AOFAS and ATRS scores were higher than those in the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion:Double-modified Bunnell suture has a significant effect on patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture undergoing minimally invasive surgery,which can effectively shorten the operation time,improve postoperative pain degree,Achilles tendon healing and ankle joint functional recovery,and have fewer postoperative complications with high safety.