Primary repair of complete Achilles tear augmented with amnion allograft wrap in college basketball player with a history of contralateral Achilles rupture: a case report

BACKGROUND: The Achilles tendon is the thickest tendon in the human body and is responsible for plantar flexion with muscle contraction. It is able to withstand tensile loads as large as ten times the body’s weight or greater at times of peak stress on the tendon. Due to the repetitive and massive stress inflicted on the Achilles tendon, it is prone to injuries, especially in running and jumping athletes. Ruptures typically present after unsustainable stress placed on the tendon from rapid contraction with classic presentation of a sudden “pop”. These injuries tend to occur in middle-aged men after atypical physical exertion with complaints of immense pain in the posterior lower leg. CASE DESCRIPTION: This case examines a 20-year-old athlete presenting to the emergency department after sustaining a left calf injury while playing basketball. The patient suffered a full-thickness tear of the Achilles tendon with retraction and subsequent anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligament deficiency. This presentation is unique as he has a past medical history of an Achilles tear in the contralateral limb. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that the bilateral Achilles tears in such a young patient were caused by anatomical blood supply watershed area to the Achilles tendon and anatomical ankle alignment abnormalities. This study provided a viable option to successfully repair complex Achilles tears via close reduction internal fixation (CRIF) with allograft matrix.