Repair of Tendon Disruption Using a Novel Synthetic Fiber Implant in Dogs and Cats: The Surgical Procedure and Three Case Reports

Abstract

Surgical management of tendon rupture is challenging. One concern is to provide adequate tensile strength to prevent distraction during weight-bearing and gap formation following repair, associated with an increased risk of repair failure. Additional challenges may arise from the nature or the chronicity of the lesion. In the event of avulsion, when the tendon is torn off at the bone insertion, its reinsertion on the bone is generally difficult and may even be impossible in the presence of an avulsion fracture, especially when the bone fragment is too small or fragmented. Repair management is also complicated in chronic cases, as degeneration of the tendon may lead to excessive scar tissue formation, tendon retraction, and muscle atrophy, resulting in a large gap and inadequate tissue for reconstruction. The authors describe the surgical procedure for implanting a novel implant, illustrated by three characteristic clinical cases: (1) an acute Achilles tendon avulsion; (2) a chronic patellar tendon rupture; and (3) a chronic avulsion fracture of the triceps tendon. In these three cases, complete recovery of the function was observed at the last clinical evaluation (6 or 8 months), and no complication was noted. A splinted dressing (6 to 8 weeks) was used successfully in two cases. A resin cast (8 weeks) was preferred in case 1, a very active dog. In conclusion, this novel implant represents a simple procedure for the effective repair of chronic tendon rupture, as well as an effective tendon reinsertion on the bone and adequate support for bone tendon healing in the treatment of tendon avulsion, even in cases of fragmented bone fracture. The thinness of the implant facilitates its insertion into the native tendon, while the bone-screw-implant interface provides immediate and lasting mechanical support. This may facilitate the healing process and potentially shorten the period of immobilization.