Review of Achilles Tendon Rupture in Dogs and a Case Report of a Novel Surgical Repair Technique
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Rupture of the Achilles (common calcaneal) tendon remains one of the most demanding soft-tissue injuries in canine orthopaedic surgery, and recent large-cohort evidence confirms that no single surgical or postoperative strategy is clearly superior across all cases. This article first provides an updated, critical review of the anatomy, aetiology, diagnosis, and surgical management of Achilles tendon rupture in dogs, covering core suture patterns, biological and synthetic augmentation techniques, and postoperative immobilisation strategies, together with their respective biomechanical evidence and clinical limitations. It then presents a clinical case of chronic, complete Achilles tendon rupture in a dog, repaired using a Three-Loop Pulley suture pattern combined with a polypropylene mesh sleeve incorporated directly into the core suture passes—a “mesh-in-stitch” technique—supported by temporary transarticular external skeletal fixation. Over a follow-up period extending to 33 months postoperatively, serial clinical, ultrasonographic, and orthopaedic evaluations showed progressive structural remodelling of the tendon, stable mesh integration, and complete functional recovery without major complications. Taken together, the reviewed literature and this clinical outcome suggest that combining intraoperative mechanical reinforcement with a scaffold for tissue ingrowth may represent a viable option for reconstructing severe, chronically ruptured tendons in dogs.
Source: Animals
DOI: 10.3390/ani16223562
Institution: University of Perugia
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,896
OpenAlex ID: W7225812155