Meniscal Circumferential Fiber Augmentation: A Biomechanical Arthroscopic Meniscal Repair Technique.

Radial tears of the human knee meniscus result in the loss of circumferential hoop stress and are highly correlated with knee degeneration. Although a variety of surgical techniques are available to repair radial meniscal tears, including inside-out, outside-in, and all-inside techniques, conventional repair techniques focus only on stabilizing the damaged portion. This Technical Note describes a biomechanical meniscus repair technique of meniscal circumferential fiber augmentation, concomitant with conventional repair, to promote meniscal healing from a biomechanical perspective.

Deep Infection After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Diagnosed by Intratunnel Suspensory Fixation Device Migration: A Case Report.

CASE: A 43-year-old woman sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury while kickboxing and underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with hamstring autograft with suspensory fixation. Lateral thigh wound was superficially infected at 2 weeks postoperatively with resolution of signs and symptoms after debridement. Three months later, posterolateral knee pain developed and radiographs revealed intratunnel migration of the device. That observation with abnormal magnetic resonance imaging and serology results led to the diagnosis of deep infection. Immediate device removal and debridement were performed. Consequently, the grafts were preserved, and the patient could perform kickboxing 2 years thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Intratunnel migration of suspensory fixation devices can support a diagnosis of infection.

Clinical outcomes after repair of an isolated radial tear in the middle segment of the lateral meniscus - All-inside suture repair vs trans-capsular suture repair.

Background/objective: For radial tears, all-inside suture (AIS) repair was clearly biomechanically superior, compared to conventional trans-capsular suture (TCS) repairs. However, clinical comparative studies of these two repairs techniques have not to be performed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes after AIS repair and TCS repairs for isolated radial tear at middle segment of lateral meniscus (RTMLM) in stable knees of young athletes. Methods: Twenty-six athletes (mean age, 19.1 years) underwent AIS repair with the double horizontal suture technique, using SutureLasso™ (Arthrex, Naples, FL) for isolated RTMLM (AIS group), and 20 athletes (mean age, 19.0 years) underwent inside-out repair, one of TCS repairs, with tie-grip suture technique (TCS group). All athletes were assessed for preoperative and two-year postoperative Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). At six-month after repair, the lateral meniscal extrusion on mid-coronal plane on MRI and healing status on second-look arthroscopy were also evaluated in all patients. Results: In both groups, KOOS improved to either good or excellent postoperatively, while complete healing was found in only 23 and 25% at second-look arthroscopy. We identified no group-dependent differences in KOOS or healing status on arthroscopy. However, a close examination of failure rates revealed significant lower rates in AIS group relative to that of TCS group (p = 0.048). Moreover, the change from preoperative to postoperative lateral meniscal extrusion in AIS group was significantly smaller than that in TCS group (p = 0.038). Conclusions: AIS and TCS repairs for RTMLM were comparable in providing satisfactory clinical results with low rates of complete healing on arthroscopy. However, AIS repair could have lower failure rate of healing on arthroscopy and minimize postoperative lateral meniscal extrusion more effectively than TCS repair on MRI.

Ultrasonic Technique for Femoral Tunnel Creation in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Bone tunnel creation in the anatomical location is essential in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with an autogenous graft and is commonly performed with a drill bit matched to graft diameter. Anatomic rectangular tunnel ACL reconstruction with a bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft has been developed to anatomically create bone tunnels inside the ACL footprints and has been reported to achieve excellent outcomes. To make the rectangular tunnel, the surgeon needs to dilate 2 adjacent bone tunnels after creation of 2 round tunnels with a drill bit, while the tunnel wall occasionally cracks during dilating. An ultrasonic (US) device was developed with improvement of output power and has been implemented with a rectangular shape blade in the field of arthroscopic surgery. This US device can provide a precise and effective bone cut compared to drills. We introduced this device to clinically create a rectangular tunnel during ACL reconstruction. The US device can be useful for rectangular femoral tunnel creation and can create a precise rectangular femoral tunnel in the ACL footprint.

Two Uncommon Complications Related to Suture Knots After Meniscal All-Inside Suture Repair: A Case Report.

CASE: A 17-year-old male patient suffered a radial lateral meniscus tear and underwent an arthroscopic all-inside suture repair. After 7 months, the patient experienced catching. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed an intra-articular loose body without calcification, which was removed surgically. The excised specimen was histopathologically confirmed to be a necrotic meniscus fragment with a suture knot. In addition, cartilage damage because of suspected impingement by a residual suture knot was observed. After removing the loose body and knot, the patient's symptoms were relieved, and he returned to sports. CONCLUSION: Suture knot-related complications should be considered while performing meniscal repairs.

Meniscus surface texture is associated with degenerative changes in biological and biomechanical properties.

Meniscal degeneration is defined by semi-quantitative assessment of multiple histological findings and has been implicated in biomechanical dysfunction, yet little is known about its relationship with biological properties. This paper aimed to quantitatively evaluate degenerative findings in human meniscus to examine their relationship with gene expression and biomechanical properties, and to extract histological findings that reflect biological properties like gene expression and cytokine secretion. This study included lateral menisci of 29 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. The menisci were divided into six samples. For each sample, Pauli's histological evaluation and corresponding quantitative assessment (surface roughness, DNA content, collagen orientation, and GAG content) were performed, with surface roughness showing the highest correlation with the histological evaluation in a single correlation analysis (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001) and multivariate analysis (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, surface roughness was associated with gene expression related to meniscal degeneration and with tangent modulus which decreases with increasing degeneration (r = - 0.49, p = 0.0002). When meniscal tissue was classified by surface integrity, inflammatory cytokine secretion tended to be higher in severe degenerated menisci. These results suggest that the evaluation of meniscal surface texture could predict the degree of degeneration and inflammatory cytokine secretion.

Editorial Commentary: All-Inside Double-Vertical Cross-Suture is an Effective Technique for Knee Meniscus Radial Tear Repair, but There is No Gold-Standard Evaluation Tool for Evaluating Healing and Function of the Repaired Meniscus.

Treatment of radial tears of the lateral meniscus is challenging. Previous studies after repairing radial tears showed low healing rates. Various suture techniques are now being developed, and biomechanical and clinical studies using these new techniques are underway. Amid development, the all-inside double vertical cross-suture technique seemed to be effective. However, limited evaluations after meniscal repair might not fully reveal whether the repaired meniscus can maintain its function. Because the best single method that can completely evaluate meniscal healing and its function after repair is still lacking, we should introduce various assessments and consider them in a comprehensive way.

Meniscal Displacement and Loss of Load-Transmission Function After Radial Tear of the Lateral Meniscus in a Porcine Model: New Insights Into the Functional Dynamics of the Injured Meniscus.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal extrusion/translation has been used as an index for meniscal treatment. However, the relationship between meniscal displacement and the degree of meniscal tear or load-transmission function of the lateral meniscus (LM) remains unclear. PURPOSE: To clarify the relationship between the width of the radial tear of the LM and (1) meniscal displacement or (2) resultant force through the meniscus under axial compressive load in the porcine model. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Eight intact porcine knees with or without a partial radial tear at the midbody of the LM (involving 30%, 60%, or 90% of its width) were investigated. Reflective markers were attached to the outer wall of the anterior, anteromiddle, posteromiddle, and posterior segments of the LM. A 300-N axial load was applied at 2 flexion angles (30° and 60°), and the 3-dimensional forces and trajectories of the knees were recorded. Marker movements were simultaneously tracked using a motion capture camera system. After total meniscectomy of the LM, the recorded knee trajectories were reproduced, and the resultant force through the LM was calculated (a force carried only by the meniscus in response to a load applied to the whole knee joint). RESULTS: At both flexion angles, the change in distance (mean ± SD) between the anterior and posterior markers under load increased significantly more in the anteroposterior direction in LMs with a 90% tear than in intact LMs (30°, 0.4 ± 0.3 vs 1.4 ± 0.8 mm, P = .004; 60°, 0.1 ± 0.7 vs 1.4 ± 1.0 mm, P < .001 [intact vs 90% tear]). The change in distance between the anteromiddle and posteromiddle markers at 30° also significantly increased in LMs with a 90% tear (0.2 ± 0.2 vs 1.3 ± 1.2 mm, P = .02 [intact vs 90% tear]). The resultant force was significantly lower in LMs with a 90% tear than in intact LMs (30°, 125 ± 47 vs 48 ± 20 N, P < .001; 60°, 93 ± 46 vs 43 ± 11 N, P = .002 [intact vs 90% tear]). We found no significant differences in either meniscal displacements or resultant forces between intact LMs and those with 30% or 60% tears. CONCLUSION: LMs with a 90%-width midbody radial tear lost load-transmission function with their displacement relative to the tibia primarily in the anteroposterior direction in the porcine model. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Even 1 mm of displacement after meniscal injury is evidence that the load-transmission function of the meniscus is greatly impaired. When a displaced torn LM is diagnosed in preoperative imaging, meniscal repair surgery should be considered.

The lateral meniscal extrusion after repair with concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction at a mean follow-up of 3.5 years.

BACKGROUND: A meniscal repair is often performed on radial/flap or longitudinal tears of the lateral meniscus (LM) combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, it is unknown if meniscal extrusion changes over time after repair. This study evaluated whether meniscal extrusion of the LM is maintained after repair or progresses with time using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Among 574 patients who underwent primary anatomic ACLR, 123 patients followed up for more than 2 years were retrospectively analyzed. Forty patients with concomitant radial/flap tears of the LM (group R), 43 with longitudinal LM tears (group L), and 40 with intact LM (group C, matched-control group) were included. Clinical findings (pain, range of motion, swelling, and anterior laxity), lateral joint space on radiograph, and meniscal extrusion on MRI were assessed. Lateral/posterior meniscal extrusions were examined preoperatively, within 3 weeks after surgery, and at the final follow-up, and the absolute values and relative values (the preoperative values as baseline) were assessed respectively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinical and roentgenographic findings among the groups. No difference was observed in the relative values within 3 weeks after surgery among three groups, although the absolute values were larger in the repaired groups than in group C. At the final follow-up, however, the lateral extrusion in group L had progressed significantly, compared with that in group C (P = 0.033), while no significant difference was detected in the lateral extrusion between groups R and C (P = 0.177). The posterior extrusion in groups R and L had progressed significantly compared with that in group C (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LM extrusion could not be improved even immediately after meniscal repair, and it progressed laterally and posteriorly for more than 2 years after surgery.

Validity of Spatio-Temporal Gait Parameters in Healthy Young Adults Using a Motion-Sensor-Based Gait Analysis System (ORPHE ANALYTICS) during Walking and Running.

Motion sensors are widely used for gait analysis. The validity of commercial gait analysis systems is of great interest because calculating position/angle-level gait parameters potentially produces an error in the integration process of the motion sensor data; moreover, the validity of ORPHE ANALYTICS, a motion-sensor-based gait analysis system, has not yet been examined. We examined the validity of the gait parameters calculated using ORPHE ANALYTICS relative to those calculated using conventional optical motion capture. Nine young adults performed gait tasks on a treadmill at speeds of 2−12 km/h. The three-dimensional position data and acceleration and angular velocity data of the feet were collected. The gait parameters were calculated from motion sensor data using ORPHE ANALYTICS, and optical motion capture data. Intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC(2,1)] were calculated for relative validities. Eight items, namely, stride duration, stride length, stride frequency, stride speed, vertical height, stance phase duration, swing phase duration, and sagittal angleIC exhibited excellent relative validities [ICC(2,1) > 0.9]. In contrast, sagittal angleTO and frontal angleIC demonstrated good [ICC(2,1) = 0.892−0.833] and moderate relative validity [ICC(2,1) = 0.566−0.627], respectively. ORPHE ANALYTICS was found to exhibit excellent relative validities for most gait parameters. These results suggest its feasibility for gait analysis outside the laboratory setting.

Isolated peripheral longitudinal tears in the anterior-middle segment of medial meniscus among young soccer players: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: There was little information about the isolated medial meniscal tears in the anterior-middle segment. This study aimed to report the infrequent cases of the isolated medial meniscal tears in the anterior-middle segment related to kicking motion among young soccer players with a short-term postoperative outcome. PRESENTATION OF CASE: In the retrospective review of the surgical records from 2000 to 2018, there were 15 cases with the corresponding tear. They were all young male soccer players with a mean age of 16.7 years (range: 10-23 years). The cause of injury was kicking motion during playing soccer in all the patients. The most frequent symptom was locking in 80% of the cases. In the arthroscopic evaluation, all the cases presented with a longitudinal (bucket-handle) tear in the anterior-middle segment in the peripheral zone with a length of 25 to 30 mm, while the posterior segment and the cruciate ligaments were intact. Meniscal repair was performed for all the cases. At one year, all the patients could return to play soccer with a pre-injury level without any symptoms. In the second-look arthroscopy at six months among four cases, all meniscal tears healed completely. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of isolated peripheral longitudinal tear in the anterior-middle segment of the medial meniscus, which is related to the kicking motion among young soccer players and mainly causes locking.

Posterior Root Avulsion Fracture of the Medial Meniscus in a Skeletally Immature Child: A Case Report.

CASE: We describe a rare case of posterior root avulsion fracture of the medial meniscus in an 11-year-old boy. Previous reports have demonstrated delayed diagnosis, but in this case, multiplanar computed tomography (CT) combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enabled early diagnosis and treatment. Gradual ossification was observed after arthroscopic suture fixation, and meniscal extrusion did not progress. He returned to sports without any symptoms and showed no degenerative changes at 2.5 years postoperatively. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report of early diagnosis and time-course analysis of a rare avulsion fracture, emphasizing the usefulness of CT combined with MRI.

Chronological changes in cross-sectional area of the bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft after anatomic rectangular tunnel ACL reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change in cross-sectional area (CSA) of bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autografts up to 5 years after the anatomic rectangular tunnel (ART) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The changing pattern in CSA might be a potential indicator of the graft remodeling process. METHODS: Ninety-six (62 males, 34 females, mean age 27.0 years) patients were enrolled in this study with a total of 220 MRI scans after ART BTB ACLR to evaluate the CSA of the ACL autografts. The patients with first time unilateral ACLR that consented to undergo MRI evaluations at postoperative periods were included in this study. Intraoperatively, the CSA of the graft was measured directly using a custom-made area micrometer at the midpoint of the graft. Postoperatively, using an oblique axial slice MRI that was perpendicular to the long axis of the graft, the CSA of the graft was measured with digital radiology viewing program "SYNAPSE" at the midpoint of the graft. The postoperative MRI scans were classified into seven groups according to the period from ACLR to MRI evaluation: Group 0-2 months (m.), Group 3-6 m., Group 7-12 m., Group 1-2 years (y.), Group 2-3 y., Group 3-4 y., and Group 4 y.-. The percent increase of the CSA was calculated by dividing the postoperative CSA by the intraoperative CSA. RESULTS: The postoperative CSA was significantly larger than the intraoperative CSA in each group, with the exception of Group 0-2 m. The mean percent increase of the CSA in Group 0-2 m., 3-6 m., 7-12 m., 1-2 y., 2-3 y., 3-4 y., 4 y.- was 101.8 ± 18.2, 188.9 ± 27.4, 190.9 ± 43.7, 183.3 ± 28.9, 175.2 ± 27.9, 163.9 ± 19.8, 164.5 ± 25.4% respectively. The percent increase in Group 3-6 m., 7-12 m., 1-2 y., 2-3 y., 3-4 y., and 4 y.- was significantly greater than that in Group 0-2 m. CONCLUSIONS: The CSA of the BTB autografts after the ART BTB ACLR increases rapidly by 3-6 months after ACLR, reached a maximum value of 190% at around 1 year, decreases gradually after that, and reaches a plateau at around 3 years. The current study might help clinicians to estimate an individual BTB autograft's remodeling stages when considering returning patients to sports. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Outcomes More Than 2 Years After Meniscal Repair for Longitudinal Tears of the Lateral Meniscus Combined With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal function after repair of longitudinal tears of the lateral meniscus (LM) with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has not been comprehensively investigated. PURPOSE: To evaluate not only the clinical outcomes and radiographic findings of patients who underwent repair of longitudinal tears of the LM combined with ACLR but also the healing status of the repaired meniscus and changes in chondral status with second-look arthroscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Among 548 patients who underwent primary anatomic ACLR at our institution between 2010 and 2017, 39 who had concomitant longitudinal tears of the LM and underwent repair were studied. During follow-up for more than 2 years, all patients were evaluated clinically (pain, range of motion, swelling, and knee instability) and with imaging (plain radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), and compared with a matched control group (based on age, sex, body mass index, and follow-up period) without any concomitant injuries who underwent ACLR. Measurements on MRI were recorded preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and at final follow-up, and the change in the values over time was assessed. Of the 39 patients in each group, 24 were assessed by second-look arthroscopy with hardware removal 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up times of the study and control group were at a mean of 42.4 and 45.4 months, respectively. There were no significant differences in clinical findings, lateral joint space narrowing on radiographs, and chondral status at the lateral compartment between groups, whereas lateral and posterior meniscal extrusion on MRI progressed significantly in the study group (0.43 ± 1.0 mm vs -0.29 ± 1.1 mm, P = .003; 1.9 ± 1.9 mm vs 0.14 ± 1.1 mm, P < .0001, respectively). Second-look arthroscopy revealed complete healing in 12 patients (50%), partial healing in 9 (37.5%), and failure in 3 (12.5%) in the study group, and no new tear in the control group. CONCLUSION: The clinical and imaging outcomes after repair of longitudinal tears of the LM combined with anatomic ACLR were successful and comparable with those after isolated ACLR without any other injuries at 42 months postoperatively, although meniscal extrusion showed progression on coronal/sagittal MRI. Based on the MRI findings and the result that only half of patients achieved complete healing, meniscal function could not be fully restored even after repair. Although degenerative changes were not apparent, longer-term follow-up is needed.

Outcomes More Than 2 Years After Meniscal Repair for Radial/Flap Tears of the Posterior Lateral Meniscus Combined With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Meniscal function after repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (LM) with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has not been comprehensively investigated. PURPOSE: To evaluate not only the clinical and radiographic outcomes of patients with repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior LM with ACLR but also the healing status of the repaired meniscus and changes of chondral status with second-look arthroscopy. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: From January 2008 to April 2016, 41 patients of a consecutive series of 505 primary anatomic ACLR cases had a concomitant radial/flap tear of the posterior horn of the LM and underwent side-to-side repair with an inside-out or all-inside technique. All patients were followed for >2 years, evaluated clinically and radiologically (radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]), and compared with a control group without any concomitant injuries that underwent ACLR. Of the 41 patients, 30 were assessed by second-look arthroscopy 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean follow-up times of the study and control groups were 3.4 and 3.9 years, respectively. The study group showed no significant differences in clinical findings, lateral joint space narrowing on radiograph, and coronal extrusion on MRI as compared with the control group, whereas sagittal extrusion on MRI progressed significantly in the study group (1.2 ± 1.5 mm vs 0.32 ± 1.0 mm, P < .001). Eighteen patients (60%) obtained complete healing; 9 (30%) showed partial healing; and 3 (10%) failed to heal on second-look arthroscopy. Changes of chondral status in the femoral condyle showed no significant difference between the groups (P = .29). However, chondral status of the lateral tibial plateau worsened significantly in the study group (P = .0011). CONCLUSION: The clinical and radiographic outcomes after repair of radial/flap tears of the posterior horn of the LM as combined with anatomic ACLR were successful and comparable with those after isolated ACLR without any other injuries at a mean postoperative follow-up of 3.4 years, except for sagittal extrusion on MRI. Chondral lesions of the lateral tibial plateau deteriorated regardless of meniscal healing at 2 years postoperatively. Surgeons should keep in mind that chondral injuries might progress over the midterm.

Tibial insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament and anterior horn of the lateral meniscus share the lateral slope of the medial intercondylar ridge: A computed tomography study in a young, healthy population.

BACKGROUND: The central intercondylar ridge (CIR) is an anatomical bony landmark that bisects the slope of the medial intercondylar ridge (MIR) between the tibial insertion of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and anterior horn of lateral meniscus (AHLM) and was recently revealed by computed tomography (CT) evaluation corresponding to histologic slices of cadaveric knees. The purpose of this study was to clarify the shape and size of ACL and AHLM tibial insertion in young, healthy knees using the new bony landmark (CIR) and previously reported landmarks. METHODS: The contralateral healthy knees in 34 ACL-reconstructed patients (18 male patients, 16 female patients, mean age: 24.0 years) were scanned by CT. In the reconstructed coronal/sagittal images, bony landmarks of ACL (anterior: anterior ridge, posterior: blood vessel in tubercle fossa, medial: MIR, lateral: CIR) and AHLM (medial: CIR, lateral: bottom of the slope) were plotted for evaluation. The length of sagittal slices and the width in five coronal slices of the insertion were measured. RESULTS: The ACL insertion consistently showed a boot-like-shape adjacent to the square shape of AHLM on three-dimensional imaging. The mean ACL sagittal length was 14.5 ±â€¯1.9 mm, while the mean ACL widths (in mm) from anterior to posterior were 12.7 ±â€¯2.7, 8.1 ±â€¯1.9, 7.9 ±â€¯2.0, 7.5 ±â€¯1.5, and 7.2 ±â€¯1.6, which was highly correlated with the tibial plateau size. CONCLUSIONS: The boot-like-shape of the ACL tibial footprint insertion shared the slope of MIR with the rectangular shape of AHLM in young, healthy knees. This study may provide useful information for safe tibial tunnel creation at the time of ACL reconstruction.

Arthroscopic minimum saucerization and inferior-leaf meniscectomy for a horizontal tear of a complete discoid lateral meniscus: Report of two cases.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment of a horizontal tear of a complete discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) is still controversial. Preserving peripheral rim as a normal shape of the meniscus with single-leaf resection is a conventional treatment, however meniscal function could not be fully restored. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 28-year old woman and a 34-year old woman experienced knee pain and had restricted knee extension. MRI showed horizontal tears of complete DLM in both patients. Arthroscopic minimum saucerization preserving more than 10 mm peripheral rim and inferior-leaf meniscectomy was performed. Two years after the surgery, the patient had no pain and no restriction of ROM. MRI showed the remaining superior-leaf maintained about half its width and no progression of coronal/sagittal extrusion. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: As resecting more meniscal tissue has been considered to be a cause of degeneration or extrusion of the meniscus, arthroscopic minimum saucerization, preserving more meniscal tissue than standard saucerization, and inferior-leaf meniscectomy can be an alternative treatment option of horizontal tears of complete DLM with satisfying clinical and radiological results.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Early Healing Process After Achilles Tendon Repair.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about early healing of repaired Achilles tendons on imaging, particularly up to 6 months postoperatively, when patients generally return to participation in sports. PURPOSE: To examine changes in repaired Achilles tendon healing with ultrasonography for up to 12 months after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Ultrasonographic images of 26 ruptured Achilles tendons were analyzed at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 months after primary repair. The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) and intratendinous morphology of the repaired tendons were evaluated using the authors' own grading system (tendon repair scores), which assessed the anechoic tendon defect area, intratendinous hyperechoic area, continuity of intratendinous fibrillar appearance, and paratendinous edema. RESULTS: The mean ratios (%) of the CSA for the affected versus unaffected side of repaired Achilles tendons gradually increased postoperatively, reached a maximum (632%) at 6 months, and then decreased at 12 months. The mean tendon repair scores increased over time and reached a plateau at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is useful to observe the intratendinous morphology of repaired Achilles tendons and to provide useful information for patients who wish to return to sports. Clinical parameters such as strength, functional performance, and quality of healed repaired tendons should also be assessed before allowing patients to return to sports.